OUR STORY

What is a Happiness Bag?

1971...

Founded in 1971 as a touring theater company, Happiness Bag presented plays to schools and various organizations, with the cast consisting of students from Indiana State University. As the touring company grew, the cast began to primarily consist of individuals with disabilities and those without. As a direct result of our theater group, Happiness Bag has evolved to service not only the needs of the physically and mentally disabled, but their entire family as well.

1987...

In 1987, Happiness Bag changed its program format from the drama/arts areas and began to focus more on the recreational and educational areas of programming for the physically and mentally disabled. Our agency is the only recreational and educational oriented facility in the entire Wabash Valley that accepts individuals with most all types of disabilities and degrees of capabilites, from the extremely gifted to the severly mentally disabled. Even though all of our programs are designed for the physically and/or mentally disabled, enrollment is not limited to this population. We provide care and programming for individuals ranging in age from five to adult.

1997...

Due to the number of programs we offer and the continued growth in the number of individuals participating in our programs, in 1997 we moved from our location on South Seventh Street to our current location. A group of individuals, who wish to remain anonymous, made it possible to have a long-standing dream become a reality. The facility is located on the south side of Terre Haute and sits directly behind the Vigo County Fairgrounds. Our facility offers a large recreational room, spacious offices, and a full size gymnasium. Additionally, our facility rests on approximately six acres of land, which also includes a softball field.

Today...

The Board of Directors continuously works to further develop the programs and services for all individuals in our community. It is our sincere hope that as a result of our long and rich history in the Wabash Valley, we will continue to grow and prosper and provide quality programs and services to not only our program participants, but their families as well.

A happiness bag is a tradition in Korea, similar to our Christmas stocking, except the Koreans use it all year long. The colorful little bag is used to give gifts, usually making the receiver happy, but often provoking thought to help the recipient become more aware of life and to learn a valuable lesson.

Happiness Bag adopted its name from this tradition and utilizes this philosophy in all of its endeavors.