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A Touch Of Understanding

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Granite Bay, CA
A Touch Of Understanding

At A Touch of Understanding we change lives by teaching empathy, inclusion & respect. This is accomplished thru the lens of disability awareness.

We create a lasting impact in our schools & communities by inspiring kindness, understanding, & compassion.

01/01/2026

Welcoming 2026 with Gratitude, Purpose & Celebration ✨
As we welcome the New Year, we do so with full hearts and great excitement.
2026 marks A Touch of Understanding’s 30th Anniversary of providing impactful disability awareness training—reaching over 160,000 students and counting.
This milestone belongs to every volunteer who shared their story, every educator who opened their classroom, every donor who believed in our mission, and every community partner who walked alongside us. Together, we’ve helped students see ability before disability and sparked lasting lessons in empathy, respect, and inclusion.
In 2026, we’ll be celebrating our 30th Anniversary all year long—honoring our past, uplifting our present, and looking ahead with hope as we continue creating meaningful change.
From all of us at A Touch of Understanding, we wish you a Happy New Year filled with joy, purpose, and possibility.

12/30/2025

Your Generosity Made a Difference This Year ✨
As we close out the year, we want to pause and say thank you—from the bottom of our hearts—to our incredible donors and supporters.
Because of your generosity, thousands of students experienced powerful moments of learning, connection, and empathy through A Touch of Understanding’s disability awareness workshops. Your support helped spark meaningful conversations, shift perspectives, and nurture kindness and understanding in classrooms across our region.
Every gift—large or small—helped create a ripple effect of inclusion that will be felt for years to come. You are an essential part of our mission, and we are deeply grateful for your belief in the work we do.
As we look ahead with hope and excitement, please know that your kindness continues to change lives—one child, one classroom, one story at a time.

12/29/2025

✨ Pizza That Makes a Difference! ✨
Join us for an Old Town Pizza Fundraiser Day benefiting A Touch of Understanding (ATOU)!
📅 Thursday, January 15, 2026
📍 Roseville • Lincoln • Auburn locations
Here’s how you can help support ATOU while enjoying great pizza:
✅ Dine-in, takeout, or delivery — just be sure to mention you’re supporting ATOU’s Fundraiser Day
✅ Ordering online? Select the “Fundraiser Day – Online” menu item
💛 15% of your check will be donated to ATOU
Every slice helps us continue providing life-changing disability awareness workshops to students across our region.
Important note: Discounts cannot be used on Fundraiser Day tickets.
Grab your family, invite friends, and make it a pizza night for a purpose!

12/25/2025

Season’s Greetings from A Touch of Understanding ✨
As the year draws to a close, our hearts are filled with gratitude. This holiday season, we pause to reflect on the countless moments of connection, learning, and kindness that made this year so meaningful.
Because of you—our dedicated volunteers, generous donors, supportive educators, and caring community partners—thousands of students experienced the power of empathy, understanding, and inclusion. Each workshop shared, each story told, and each conversation sparked created a ripple effect that will last far beyond the classroom.
May this holiday season bring you peace, joy, and time with those you hold dear. From all of us at A Touch of Understanding, thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us build a kinder, more compassionate world—one child at a time.
With heartfelt gratitude…The ATOU Family

12/23/2025

The true impact of our work is best told through the voices of educators who see it firsthand.
The reflections we receive from teachers who experience our disability awareness workshops truly touch our hearts.
These recent quotes highlight the powerful moments of understanding, empathy, and connection they witness in their classrooms—often sparking conversations that continue long after the workshop ends.
We’re grateful to partner with educators who believe in creating inclusive, compassionate learning environments for every student.
When asked…Do you anticipate the ATOU presentation having a positive, long-term effect on your students? Check out what a few teachers shared with us.
-“Definitely! I reference things we all learned or experiences we had with ATOU on a weekly basis! It really helps during our class meetings when we check in about how we are treating others, too. The students have referenced the speakers a lot, and one student even went to the bookstore and bought A Fish in a Tree because it was recommended by Kira!”
-“Absolutely! We have a group of students on our campus with extreme disabilities and this will encourage positive interactions between students.”
-”I really appreciated the hands-on activities to help them truly gain some perspective and build some much needed empathy for people. I recognize a stronger sense of gratitude and understanding towards people with disabilities. Especially the wheel chair and walking stick activity. It was humbling for many. “

12/18/2025

Braille Behind Bars: A Powerful Reminder of Why Disability Awareness Matters

At A Touch of Understanding (ATOU), we believe in the transformative power of empathy, responsibility, and the ripple effect of kindness. Today, we’re honored to highlight an extraordinary local program that embodies those very values.
At Folsom Prison, 18 incarcerated men are rebuilding their lives by learning to transcribe textbooks, math, and music into braille for blind and visually impaired children across California and beyond.
Through a partnership with the California Prison Industry Authority, these men commit to hundreds of hours of study, earning certifications from the Library of Congress and the National Braille Association.
This program—recognized nationally as one of the top braille production groups in the country—does more than create accessible materials.
It creates understanding.
It creates accountability.
It creates purpose.
Several participants say the work has helped them take responsibility for past harm, including one inmate who once stole from a blind woman and has spent more than two decades giving back to the community he hurt. Others describe finding deep meaning and personal growth in knowing that each page they produce will empower a child who is blind to learn, grow, and thrive.
“This stuff is going to be in a blind kid’s hands… and with every braille dot we press, that keeps us going.”
This is the heart of inclusion—recognizing the dignity and worth in every person and the power we each hold to make life better for someone else.
From inmates rebuilding their futures to children receiving the tools they need to succeed, this program is a powerful example of what happens when empathy turns into action.
At ATOU, we strive every day to create this same understanding in classrooms across our region. Stories like this remind us that when we embrace compassion and accessibility, lives change—on both sides of the page.

12/17/2025

✨ Your Generosity Lights the Way — Year-End Giving 2025 ✨
As we close out this remarkable year, we’re reflecting with deep gratitude on the impact you helped make possible. Because of supporters like you, A Touch of Understanding (ATOU) continues to open hearts, change perspectives, and empower students with the life-changing lessons of empathy, compassion, and inclusion.
🌟 Now celebrating our 30th Anniversary, ATOU has reached over 160,000 students through more than 3,800 disability awareness workshops across the Sacramento region and beyond. And every single workshop began with a simple act of generosity — from donors who believe, like we do, that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and included.
Your support doesn’t just fund programs…
* It plants seeds of understanding.
* It shapes kinder classrooms.
* It inspires compassionate communities.
As we enter this season of giving, we invite you to continue walking beside us. Your year-end contribution helps ensure that even more students will experience the transformative power of empathy in 2026 — our landmark 30th year of service.
💖 How to Give
Mail:
A Touch of Understanding
5280 Stirling Street, Ste 102
Granite Bay, CA 95746
Online: Donate today at: https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_7e7f7298-3593-11e7-afbe-024e165d44b3&WidgetId=160349184
From our ATOU Family to yours, thank you for believing in this mission and for helping us build a more compassionate world — one child, one classroom, one connection at a time.
Wishing you a joyful Holiday Season and a Merry Christmas! 🎄

12/12/2025

🌟 Celebrate 30 Years of Impact at Evening of Insight 2026! 🌟
For three decades, A Touch of Understanding (ATOU) has opened hearts, sparked compassion, and inspired more than 160,000 students to see the world through the lens of understanding and respect. Now, in our 30th Anniversary year, we invite YOU to be part of something extraordinary.
On Thursday, April 23rd, 2026, join us at the beautiful Timber Creek Ballroom in Roseville for the 8th Annual Evening of Insight (EOI) — an unforgettable night where community, connection, and compassion come together in the most powerful way.
This is more than a dinner.
It’s a transformative experience that allows guests to step into someone else’s world, deepen empathy, and witness firsthand the mission that has shaped ATOU for 30 years. Every moment of this evening supports the hands-on disability awareness workshops that change students’ lives across our region.
🎟️ Tickets are officially on sale!
Reserve your seat today: http://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026
✨ As we celebrate 30 years of stories, service, and meaningful impact, we hope you’ll join us for this milestone event. Together, we can continue building a future where inclusion, dignity, and compassion shine brighter than ever.

12/09/2025

Celebrating the Heart of ATOU — Our Extraordinary Volunteers!
As we close out another remarkable year, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the people who make A Touch of Understanding truly extraordinary — our volunteers. 💙
Every workshop… every smile… every “aha” moment… every shift in perspective — you are at the center of it all.
Because of your compassion, dedication, and willingness to share your stories, we continue to bring empathy, respect, inclusion, and understanding to students across Northern California.
This year, you helped us surpass 3,800+ workshops and reach more than 160,000 children with hands-on disability awareness experiences that change lives forever.
🌼 You are not just volunteers — you are catalysts for kindness.
You are the storytellers, the encouragers, the role models, and the heart of our mission. You show students that differences are not barriers, but bridges that connect us.
For nearly 30 years, ATOU’s journey has been powered by incredible people just like you. You are our superheroes. Our “secret sauce.” Our family.
From the bottom of our hearts…
THANK YOU for giving your time, your energy, and your beautiful commitment to creating a more compassionate world — one child, one classroom, one moment at a time.
🌟 Because of YOU, the ripple of understanding continues to grow — and we couldn’t imagine this journey without you. 🌟

12/05/2025

*A Full-Circle Day of Impact with Volunteer Speaker, Amanda Mulanix *
Wednesday was one of those incredible days that reminds us why ATOU’s mission matters so deeply. We had the honor of sharing our disability-awareness message at Ridgeview Elementary School and Meristem, and longtime volunteer speaker Amanda Mulanix made the day unforgettable.
*Ridgeview Elementary School
For Amanda, this wasn’t just another presentation—it was a return to her roots. Amanda, who is blind, once walked these same halls as a young student. Yesterday, she stood before today’s students as a confident leader and role model, guiding our Opening, Closing, and Learning Differences station.
She shared her story of growing up without sight, navigating school, and discovering her own strengths—showing students that vision isn’t something limited to eyesight.
*Meristem
Our second visit took us to Meristem, an organization that empowers neurodiverse young adults to build confidence, independence, and important life skills.
The students connected deeply with Amanda’s message. One even shared how inspiring it was to see someone who “never lets anything hold her back.”
And then came the surprise that made the day even more special…
Amanda discovered that a former 2nd-grade classmate was now a staff member at Meristem—and had been right there in the audience. A heartwarming full-circle moment that none of us will forget.

🌟 Amanda, thank you for sharing your courage, resilience, and joy with every student you meet.
Your story continues to open minds, build understanding, and inspire others to see their own possibilities—no matter their challenges.

12/04/2025

*Gratitude That Echoes All Year Long*
At A Touch of Understanding, gratitude isn’t just a feeling — it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. It fuels the moments when a child discovers new empathy… when a classroom lights up with understanding… and when kindness becomes the spark that changes someone’s day.
Because of you — our supporters, volunteers, community partners, and friends — we’re able to continue sharing the power of inclusion, respect, and acceptance with thousands of students each year. Your generosity doesn’t just support our mission… it amplifies it.
Every gift, every hour volunteered, every shared message creates a ripple of compassion that travels far beyond the classroom. Together, we’re building a future where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered — and that is something to celebrate.
From all of us at ATOU, thank you for being part of this journey. Your belief in our mission truly changes lives.
💡 We’d love to hear from you — what are you grateful for as we wrap up this year?

✨ Together, we’re shaping a world rooted in compassion and connection.

12/03/2025

💛✨ Our hearts are full! ✨
Because of your kindness and generosity, A Touch of Understanding felt the true spirit of GivingTuesday!
To everyone who donated, shared, and cheered us on—thank you for helping us continue our mission of teaching empathy, respect, and inclusion.
Your support keeps our workshops thriving and our message spreading to new generations of students. Together, we’re building a world that embraces understanding over judgment, kindness over indifference.

Address

5280 Stirling St, Ste 102
Granite Bay, CA
95746

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.TouchOfUnderstanding.org/

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