On Saturday, community members gathered at West Twin Cinema in Craig to celebrate accessibility and inclusion with the first-ever sensory-friendly movie, “Dog Man,” which was hosted by Harmonie House. 

The event, which began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, served as a celebration for the community-driven program that is seeking to fill service gaps in the area for individuals with disabilities. 

For those in attendance, the movie screening represented not only an important step towards a community where individuals with disabilities are acknowledged, but also one where they are actively accommodated.

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Harmonie House was founded by Jennifer and Paul Pieroni, who moved to Craig from the Denver area four years ago. The inspiration for forming the organization is rooted in their children, Arayah and Trey, both of whom have disabilities. While living in Denver, the family had access to a broad network of support services. After moving to Craig, they realized the area’s resources had immense opportunity for growth. 

“When we moved here, we saw that the services our kids had access to in Denver just weren’t available,” Jennifer Pieroni said. “We knew that had to change, not just for our family, but for everyone in the community who needed them.”

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Harmonie House was created to address those gaps and to offer services that improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. The organization, which has filed to be a 501(c)(3), specializes in helping families navigate resources like Medicaid waivers, a process which can be overwhelming due to its complicated application process.

The organization currently serves Moffat, Routt, Rio Blanco, Jackson and Grand counties. 

“There are services available, but getting to them can feel like swimming in mud,” Jennifer said. “We guide families through that so they don’t have to go it alone.”

For Lynda Overton, a lifelong Craig resident, the support of Harmonie House has been life-changing. Her 34-year-old daughter, JenaLee Nugent, has experienced severe movement disorders beginning at the age of 14. While other local organizations were able to provide some support, they weren’t able to offer the full scope of services, including in-home care, that Overton needed.

“Harmonie House has given us something we never had before—the ability to keep my daughter at home while still receiving the services she needs,” Overton said. “…Being able to care for her in our own space has made all the difference.”

Harmonie House operates with a deeply personal touch as both Jennifer and Paul dedicate extensive time, often on a volunteer basis, to ensure that families receive the guidance and support they need.

“It can often take about 10 to 12 hours per individual to help them access services, and we do all of that for free,” Paul said. “Even if they don’t end up using Harmonie House, we just want them to get the help they need.”

This community-centric approach extends beyond administrative support, as Harmonie House continually seeks partnerships to create a collaborative and community-involved environment.

“We’re not here to duplicate what already exists. We’re here to fill the gaps,” Jennifer said. “We’ve connected with Yampa Valley Autism, The Health Partnership, Memorial Regional Health and so many others. The goal is to work together to help as many families as possible.”

The screening was more than just a ribbon-cutting ceremony — it was the beginning of what the Pieronis hope will be a monthly tradition for the entire community but especially for individuals with disabilities, their families and caretakers. 

Unlike standard movie screenings, sensory-friendly events cater to individuals with sensory sensitivities. The lights remain dim rather than off, the volume is lowered and attendees are free to move, make noise and enjoy the film without fear of judgment or disturbing others. 

“For some families of an individual with sensory sensitivity, taking their kids to a regular movie theater just isn’t an option,” Paul said. “They worry about being disruptive or drawing unwanted attention. But here, they don’t have to worry about that.”

West Twin Cinema, already a bastion of the Moffat County community, has embraced the initiative in full force. Theater owner Amy Updike said the decision to host the events was an easy one.

“Jennifer reached out and asked if we’d be willing to do this monthly, and we said absolutely,” Updike noted. “It’s a simple adjustment—keeping the lights on, lowering the sound and ensuring staff are available—but it makes a huge difference for these families.”

The need for these services in Craig is evident. In just a short time, Harmonie House has already begun serving ten children and adults, with an additional 50 currently in the process of securing services.

Dicnorimar Astor, whose 13-year-old son has autism and is nonverbal, described how difficult it was to access appropriate services before she began utilizing the support that Harmonie House offers. 

“Jennifer helped me through the process of many applications for my son to get services and the support he needs,” Astor said. “Before Harmonie House, there just weren’t many options in Craig. But now, we are seeing real change.”

Despite the rapid success of Harmonie House, there are still hurdles to overcome. The organization had to navigate a complex licensing process which took nearly two years and is still ongoing. 

Financial constraints also remain a challenge, as the operation is largely self-funded by the Pieronis. 

“It’s been a long journey to get here,” Jennifer said. “But when we see the difference it makes in people’s lives, we know it’s worth it.”

With the first sensory-friendly movie now in the books, Harmonie House is looking ahead to the future. The organization plans to continue expanding its services while maintaining its community focus. Additional sensory-friendly movies will be hosted on the second Saturday of every month. 

“For families with special needs individuals, it’s not always easy to go out in public,” Overton said. “But here, they are accepted.”

For Jennifer and Paul, the mission is still driven by their deep love for their own children. 

“Our kids have disabilities, so we know firsthand how life-changing these services can be,” she said. “Someone did this for us when we needed it. Now, we’re here to do it for others.”

For more information on Harmonie House, visit harmoniehouse.org or call 970-701-1007.