Harmonic Humanity was started by AJ Lovewins as a music program called Healing Harmonies at a soup kitchen in 2005, shortly after he overcame homelessness, to help inspire people and bring hope. Later, while participating in a Landmark Education course, the project expanded into a broader community initiative.
In 2009, Harmonic Humanity became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, officially co-founded by AJ Lovewins and Joseph Jacques, wiht the help of Nancy Carrol, and was supported by a growing community of caring individuals, organizations, and musicians.
What started as a way to uplift and inspire through music evolved into an innovative jobs program where musicians generously donated songs to compilation CDs, which were provided to people experiencing homelessness to sell, allowing them to keep 100% of the profits. This empowering approach helped participants secure essentials like housing deposits, transportation, and other critical resources needed to regain stability and independence.
While local musicians were the first to support Harmonic Humanity, it quickly grew, producing three compilation albums. By the second album, Grammy Award-winning musicians, including Michael Franti, Jason Mraz, Maroon 5, Sarah McLachlan, and many others, became involved by donating their music to the compilations.
Over the years, Harmonic Humanity has grown significantly, now encompassing “Our People Rise,” a powerful documentary and educational digital platform showcasing stories of resilience and triumph over homelessness, addiction, and mental health struggles. By highlighting lived experiences, “Our People Rise” aims to build resiliency toolkits and foster community engagement, amplifying the voices of those who have transformed their challenges into meaningful lives.
Today, Harmonic Humanity continues its evolution into a dynamic digital platform, expanding its jobs initiative and amplifying empowering narratives. Meanwhile, “Our People Rise” emerges as a rising star in media, shining a hopeful and transformative light on often overlooked and misunderstood issues. At their heart, both initiatives share AJ Lovewins’ vision: empowering those who have navigated profound adversity to become leaders, storytellers, and catalysts for positive change.