A Touch Of Understanding

03/27/2026

You never know who you’ll run into at the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce Breakfast...✨

This morning’s connections?
*Mike Martin – our talented photographer for Evening of Insight 2026
*Theresa Arnold – the amazing force behind Style Magazine and one of our valued sponsors
*Zach Mongston – always great to connect and share a moment

That’s the magic of Chamber mornings—community, connections, and a whole lot of impact in one room. 💙

03/26/2026

They came curious… and left changed.
What happens when students are given the opportunity to truly understand someone else’s experience?
💙 Everything changes.
At A Touch of Understanding, our workshops invite students to step into a new perspective—
to try, to listen, to ask questions… and to feel what inclusion really means.
In this heartfelt letter, Paige shares her experience after participating in one of our workshops—and her words say it all:
✨ From trying wheelchairs and writing in Braille…
✨ To hearing real-life stories from our incredible speakers…
✨ To realizing that a disability doesn’t define what someone can achieve…
She walked away with something more powerful than knowledge—
she walked away with understanding, respect, and admiration.
And maybe most importantly…
“I didn’t know much about disabilities, but now I know so much more…”
That right there is the ripple effect in action.
This is why we do what we do.
This is how hearts are opened.
This is how a more inclusive world begins.
* Be part of the impact.
Join us as we celebrate 30 Years of Changing Lives at Evening of Insight on April 23, 2026.
🎟 Get your tickets:
https://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026

03/24/2026

ATOU is Taking Insight to Impact at DDNC 2026!
Big conversations. Meaningful connections. Real impact.
A Touch of Understanding is excited to be part of DDNC 2026, a powerful two-day conference bringing together changemakers who are passionate about creating more inclusive communities for individuals of all abilities.
DDNC 2026
Theme: From Insight to Impact – The Power of Partnership
📅 April 3–4, 2026
⏰ 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Sunrise Events Center | Vacaville
This inspiring event—co-hosted by Special Care Services and Special Care Angels—brings together educators, professionals, families, and advocates who believe in the power of understanding, collaboration, and action.
✨ Why this matters:
Because when we come together to learn and share, we create ripple effects that extend far beyond the conference walls—into classrooms, communities, and everyday interactions.
At ATOU, we’re proud to be part of that ripple—helping students build empathy, break down barriers, and see ability before disability.
Attending DDNC? Come find us!
We’d love to connect, share our programs, and hear your story.
* Can’t attend in person?
A virtual option is available via Zoom Events.
* Continuing Education Credits Available for:
• Behavioral Professionals (ACE CE’s)
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Speech & Language Pathologists
Let’s turn insight into action…together.

03/20/2026

Sometimes the real impact happens long after our workshops end.
In this short podcast clip, ATOU Executive Director Meghan Adamski shares a story that truly captures the ripple effect of understanding.
A mother recently called our office to share something remarkable. Her son, who is on the autism spectrum, was playing alone at a park — something he often does because other children don’t usually join him.
But that day was different.
Another young boy walked up and simply began playing with him.
Surprised and grateful, the mother thanked the boy. His response was simple:
"Well… I had A Touch of Understanding at my school."
That was all it took.
In that moment, the lesson had traveled far beyond the classroom — removing barriers, replacing uncertainty with empathy, and reminding us that sometimes understanding begins with a child simply seeing another child.
For nearly 30 years, these are the moments that remind us why this work matters.
✨ Join us as we celebrate stories like this at our
30th Anniversary Evening of Insight
📅 April 23, 2026
* Take 30 seconds to hear Meghan share this powerful story. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Yoo49bH4YTo
30 seconds. 30 years. Countless ripples.

Parents frequently share how inclusive education has positively impacted their children's social interactions, transforming their conversations and community...

03/19/2026

When Leaders Experience Empathy in Action
Carpool Conversation with Bonnie Gore
As A Touch of Understanding celebrates 30 years of building empathy, understanding, and respect, we’re reflecting on the incredible people who have been part of our journey.
In this special Carpool Conversation, we sit down with Bonnie Gore.
Bonnie shares how she first connected with ATOU more than 20 years ago while working at a local hospital, where she met our founder Leslie DeDora and her father Ed Ennis. Since then, she’s had the opportunity to witness ATOU’s workshops firsthand—and like so many others, she was deeply moved by the powerful impact the program has on students.
Her reflections are a reminder of how one introduction can grow into decades of support, advocacy, and belief in the importance of teaching empathy and inclusion.
🎥 Watch the conversation here:
https://youtu.be/uoGP73J2-O8
As we celebrate 30 years of changing lives, we’re grateful for community leaders like Bonnie who continue to champion understanding for people of all abilities.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

03/17/2026

Five weeks. One unforgettable night.
The countdown is on for the 8th Annual Evening of Insight — and this year’s event carries extra meaning as A Touch of Understanding celebrates 30 years of changing lives.
On April 23, 2026, our community will gather at Timber Creek Ballroom for an evening filled with powerful stories, connection, inspiration, and a shared commitment to creating a kinder, more inclusive world.
This is more than a fundraiser.
It’s a celebration of 30 years of empathy, understanding, and impact — and the thousands of students whose lives have been touched along the way.
🎟 Tickets are going quickly and we’re heading toward another sell-out.
If you’ve been thinking about joining us, now is the time.
Be in the room.
Feel the impact.
Celebrate the journey.
Secure your seat today:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026

03/17/2026

For 30 years, A Touch of Understanding has been planting seeds of empathy in young minds — and these letters show those seeds are growing!
Sometimes the most powerful proof of impact comes from the voices of the students themselves.
After participating in an A Touch of Understanding Disability Awareness Workshop, students often share what they learned — and their words remind us why this work matters so deeply.
One student wrote about learning not to judge someone by how they look or whether they have a disability, recognizing that everyone has unique abilities and amazing things to contribute.
Another student shared how meaningful it was to experience activities like the wheelchair parade, learning Braille, and exploring tools that help people navigate everyday life.
But perhaps the most powerful message was this:
“If you underestimate someone, you will never believe or understand that they are a lot like you.”
That’s exactly what ATOU is about.
For 30 years, our workshops have helped students move beyond assumptions and build something much more powerful — empathy, respect, and understanding for people of all abilities.
These letters remind us that when students experience inclusion firsthand, the lesson doesn’t end when the workshop does.
It stays with them.
And that’s how we build a kinder, more compassionate community — one student at a time.

03/12/2026

A Story That Comes Full Circle
For one ATOU Board Member, the story began in the very district where our workshops first started nearly 30 years ago.
Kristi Marinus, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services with the Eureka Union School District and a member of A Touch of Understanding’s Board of Directors, grew up as a student in the district where ATOU launched its very first disability awareness workshops.
Her career—from special education teacher to school principal and now district administrator—has been guided by a simple but powerful mission: ensuring students with disabilities are not just present in our schools, but truly included.
Over the years, Kristi has seen ATOU’s impact through multiple lenses.
As a parent, she watched her own son participate in an ATOU workshop—an experience that became a defining moment for their family and reinforced the importance of recognizing the inherent value of every person.
Later, as a principal, she witnessed the powerful “lightbulb moments” when students moved past uncertainty and began to see disability through the lens of empathy and understanding.
Programs like ATOU do more than educate students—they help transform school culture by replacing the fear of the unknown with connection, compassion, and respect.
Today, as a member of ATOU’s Board of Directors, Kristi is committed to honoring the organization’s roots in Eureka Union while helping ensure the next generation of students grows up in a world where understanding is the standard, not the exception.
💙 Stories like Kristi’s remind us why ATOU’s work matters.

03/11/2026

An Exclusive Culinary Experience Awaits
One of the exciting Live Auction experiences at our 30th Anniversary Evening of Insight is this unforgettable culinary evening for six guests.
The winning bidder will enjoy a chef-curated four-course dining experience hosted by the talented team at Randy Peters Catering & Event Center, served in their beautiful Private Dining Boardroom. It’s the perfect setting for a special celebration, a memorable night with friends, or a unique client experience.
A heartfelt thank you to Randy and Lisa Peters for their generosity and continued support of A Touch of Understanding and our mission to bring messages of empathy, respect, and inclusion to thousands of students each year.
Join us as we celebrate 30 years of changing lives.
* April 23, 2026
* Timber Creek Ballroom
🎟 Tickets:
https://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026

03/10/2026

As we prepare to celebrate 30 years of impact in 2026, we’re reflecting on the incredible voices who make Evening of Insight so meaningful.
Suzanne Bratkovich has been a longtime supporter and champion of A Touch of Understanding, and her words after last year’s event perfectly capture the heart, energy, and purpose of this unforgettable evening.
Take a moment to read her experience…
“How grateful we were to return to Evening of Insight this year – and how thrilled to see this event’s growth and share the experience with our guests! We have always had deep appreciation for the work that ATOU does to make our community a better place for all members, but to be a part of this evening and see so many joyfully celebrating and financially supporting the organization was truly inspiring. The setting, meal, and presentations were excellent, and to have it all facilitated by the incomparable energy of Freddie Silveria made for an entertaining evening of insight and purpose. We can’t wait to return for EOI 2026 – and help ATOU celebrate their thirty years of creating a kinder and more compassionate community. Thank you to all who worked to make this evening as outstanding as the organization itself!”

03/06/2026

For 30 years we’ve been lifting hearts — now we’re lifting kites too!
Join A Touch of Understanding (ATOU) for a fun-filled day at the North Natomas Kite Festival!
📅 March 14, 2026
🕚 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Northlake Community Park, Sacramento
This FREE, family-friendly event will feature:
✨ Model Rocketry Demonstration
🍴 Food Trucks
🛍️ Local Vendors
🥁 Live performance by Sacramento Taiko Dan Youth Performing Ensemble
As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary year, we’re excited to once again connect with families, educators, and community members while continuing our mission of teaching empathy, inclusion, and respect.
Come fly a kite, enjoy the day, and stop by our booth to say hello! 🪁💙

03/06/2026

A bracelet. A student. A ripple that continues today.
In this 30-second ATOU podcast short, our incredible volunteer speaker Karen — lovingly known as KP — shares a story that captures the heart of what we do.
During one of our disability awareness workshops, a student placed a handmade bracelet in KP’s hands. KP, who is blind, was deeply moved by that simple act of kindness.
That moment inspired her to begin making bracelets herself.
That’s the ripple effect of empathy.
For nearly 30 years, A Touch of Understanding has witnessed moments like this — when students realize their power to connect, include, and uplift others.
✨ It’s these stories we’ll be celebrating at our
30th Anniversary Evening of Insight
📅 April 23, 2026
🎧 Take 30 seconds to hear KP share this beautiful moment. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TqHEV_3Zges
💙 Then join us as we continue building a more inclusive world
https://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026
30 seconds. 30 years. Countless ripples.

How a shared bracelet inspired gratitude and friendship.