That’s how she started down the path to creating United Partners, a nonprofit that facilitates artistic activities for people with disabilities after they age out of school.
More specifically, Debbie describes the organization as a community for all abilities.
“Adults with disabilities can stay in the public school system until they’re 22,” she said. “But if they don’t have a job after that time period, what do they do? They sit at home and watch videos or do nothing.”
After visiting a similar nonprofit in 2015, she met with a youth pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and discussed the possibility of creating the same type of organization closer to home in Pflugerville.
“Her eyes got that sparkle, and she said, ‘Why couldn’t we?’” Debbie said.
By 2017, she launched United Partners with four adults with disabilities, or partners.
Today, Debbie, Program Coordinator Lynda Skellenger and several volunteers oversee the artistic output of 17 partners ranging in age from 22 to 50 and who come from cities including Pflugerville, Round Rock, Liberty Hill and Hutto.
From a facility that used to be a residence on Third Street near downtown Pflugerville, the partners create artistic crafts that are then sold at the United Partners Pflugerville Store next door.
Partners create a litany of crafts from beaded illustrations to multicolored coasters that range in price from about $5 to $100. Profits are then put back into the UP operation.
UP also sells the crafts at events throughout town. As a recent example, Debbie said they had one of its most profitable events as vendors at the community food festival called Slice of Pflugerville in April.
“We give them a purpose in life, because what they’re creating, they’re sharing with the community,” Debbie said.
How to help
United Partners Executive Director Debbie Weiderhold said people can support the nonprofit in several ways.
- Sign up to volunteer at www.unitedpartnerspf.org
- Donate money through the website
- Purchase a craft at the UP store, open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and located at 301 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville
301 W. Pecan St., Pflugerville
512-791-2292
www.unitedpartnerspf.org
Hours: Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun.-Fri.
