A Touch Of Understanding

01/31/2026

We’re Heading to Chico!
A Touch of Understanding (ATOU) is excited to share that we’ll be hosting a community booth at the 7th Annual Northern California Neurodiversity & Disability Symposium on February 6 at California State University, Chico.
This powerful symposium elevates the voices of neurodivergent and disabled individuals while bringing together families, educators, and service providers for meaningful connection, education, and resources—especially vital for rural communities.
✨ Stop by the ATOU booth to:
💙 Learn about our disability awareness programs
💙 Meet our team and volunteers
💙 Engage in conversations rooted in acceptance, respect, and understanding
This event aligns beautifully with ATOU’s mission to foster empathy, inclusion, and respect—and we’re honored to be part of it.
📅 February 6
📍 CSU Chico
👉 Explore the full schedule, keynote speakers, and registration details here:
🔗 https://rce.csuchico.edu/nds
We hope to see you there and connect in person!

01/29/2026

*A Testimony That Captures the Heart of Evening of Insight *
As we prepare for Evening of Insight 2026, A Touch of Understanding’s 30th Anniversary celebration on April 23, 2026, we’re honored to share this powerful reflection from Lisa Peters from Randy Peters Catering & Event Center, who attended last year’s event:
“We all had a wonderful time at this year’s event. Having attended many nonprofit gatherings, I can confidently say this one was truly exceptional. The synergy in the room and the authenticity of the attendees were remarkable, creating an atmosphere that was both uplifting and invigorating. It’s a poignant reminder that we all encounter individuals with disabilities in our lives. What ATOU is doing is vital; understanding the challenges faced by our fellow human beings allows us to realize our potential to make a meaningful difference in their lives. Thank you for all you do.”
* Lisa’s words beautifully reflect what makes Evening of Insight so special—connection, empathy, and a shared commitment to making a difference in our community.
🎟 Tickets are on sale now!
Join us for this unforgettable evening at Timber Creek Ballroom and be part of a milestone celebration 30 years in the making.
👉 Secure your spot today: https://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026
*Together, we can ignite respect, deepen understanding, and change lives. We can’t wait to welcome you.

01/28/2026

*Grateful for the Next Generation of Changemakers*
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting A Touch of Understanding and sharing information about The Red Sand Project with the incredible members of the Rotary Interact Club at West Park High School here in Roseville.
This Interact Club—sponsored by the Rotary Club of Roseville since the school opened just three years ago—brings together students ages 15–18 who are learning leadership, service, and the true meaning of Service Above Self. ✨
Thank you to these inspiring students for welcoming the conversation, asking thoughtful questions, and exploring ways they can help us share our mission—and even assist in promoting our upcoming Evening of Insight as we celebrate ATOU’s 30th Anniversary on April 23, 2026.
The future is bright when young leaders step forward with empathy, curiosity, and a heart for service. We are so grateful for the opportunity to connect and collaborate!

01/27/2026

Be Part of a Milestone Moment—Become an Evening of Insight 2026 Sponsor!
Don’t wait—commit today to become one of our incredible sponsors for Evening of Insight 2026, a very special event as we celebrate 30 years of impact at A Touch of Understanding!
* Save the Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
For three decades, A Touch of Understanding has empowered school-aged children with essential life skills—empathy, inclusion, compassion, and respect—through powerful, hands-on disability awareness workshops. These experiences don’t just change minds; they change lives and strengthen communities across our region.
* Your sponsorship makes this work possible.
By partnering with us during this milestone year, you’ll help expand our award-winning programs to reach even more children throughout the Sacramento region—while aligning your organization with a trusted nonprofit celebrating 30 years of meaningful service.
✨ Sponsor benefits include:
✔️ Recognition across event promotions and advertising
✔️ Tickets to this unforgettable anniversary celebration
✔️ Visibility on our website and event pages
✔️ On-screen sponsor spotlights during the event
✔️ Customized promotional opportunities (varies by level)
…and so much more!
*Let’s create a lasting impact—together.
*Contact Roxanne Snyder at roxanne@touchofunderstanding.org or call (916) 791-4146 to secure your sponsorship today.
Thank you for helping us honor 30 years of building a more empathetic, inclusive world—and for investing in the next generation.

01/22/2026

*Throwback Thursday: Carpool Conversation with Our Founder*
Before podcasts… before reels… before Zoom — there was Carpool Conversation.
Years ago, we hit the road (with our ATOU trailer in tow!) and invited staff, volunteers, community partners, and sponsors to join us for meaningful conversations during a simple car ride. These moments captured the heart of A Touch of Understanding — unscripted, authentic, and deeply impactful.
As we celebrate 30 years of ATOU, we’re thrilled to share a very special Throwback Thursday: Carpool Conversation #27 featuring our founder, Leslie DeDora.
In this episode, Leslie passionately reflects on the powerful impact our disability awareness workshops have on children — the thoughtful questions they ask, the moments of connection she witnessed, and the lasting ripple effect that continues far beyond the classroom.
This conversation beautifully captures why ATOU began, why it matters, and why — 30 years later — the work continues to change hearts, minds, and lives.
🎥 Take a ride with us and revisit the heart of our mission
👉 https://youtu.be/HQIz3lpjt14?si=rOyLOYgdpyIlJelx

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

01/22/2026

Amazing Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce Breakfast meeting...you never know who you will have the pleasure of running into.

Grateful moments like these remind us why community matters.
So thankful to connect this morning with Theresa Arnold from Style Magazine - Roseville, Granite Bay, John Shanahan from Lighthouse Window Cleaning and Zach Mongston from Bear Homes —all valued sponsors and donors of our Evening of Insight 2026.

Your support helps us continue building empathy, inclusion, and understanding in our community as we celebrate A Touch of Understanding’s 30th Anniversary. Thank you for standing with us and believing in this mission. ✨
Celebrating 30 years of igniting respect, deepening understanding, and changing lives—together

01/20/2026

✨ A Night 30 Years in the Making — Secure Your Spot! ✨
Mark your calendar for Thursday, April 23, 2026, and join us for a truly unforgettable celebration — A Touch of Understanding’s 30th Anniversary & 8th Annual Evening of Insight!
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Timber Creek Ballroom in Roseville, this milestone evening is more than an event — it’s a powerful experience that brings our mission to life.
🌟 Why You’ll Want to Be There:
💙 Celebrate 30 years of creating empathy, respect, and understanding
💙 Be immersed in an evening filled with inspiration, connection, and insight
💙 Support life-changing disability awareness programs impacting thousands of students
💙 Enjoy a meaningful night out that truly makes a difference in our community
Make It a Night to Share
Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and reserve a table to experience the magic together. Our dedicated EOI 2026 Committee is crafting an evening designed to move hearts, spark conversation, and leave you inspired long after the night ends.
Reserve Your Seats Today
This is a night you won’t want to miss — seating is limited.
*Get your tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/eveningofinsight2026
Let’s come together to honor the past, celebrate the present, and ignite the future of empathy and inclusion.
Help us spread the word!

01/15/2026

Shining a Spotlight on Our Champions of Change
As we count down to Evening of Insight 2026 on April 23, we are proud to celebrate A Touch of Understanding’s 30th Anniversary—and the incredible sponsors who make this milestone moment possible.
Because of these champions, we continue to bring lessons of respect, acceptance, inclusion, and compassion to life—transforming hearts and minds and impacting thousands of children throughout our community.
* With heartfelt gratitude to our 2026 Sponsors:
🌟 Beth Frkovich Foundation – Presenting Sponsor
✨ Measured Financial
✨ Cardno-Silvers Family Trust
✨ Style Media Style Magazine – Roseville, Granite Bay & Rocklin
✨ PRIDE Industries
✨ Roseville Automall Association
✨ Mission Sistahs Inc.
✨ Comstock Magazine
✨ Green Valley Hospice
✨ Bayer and *SMUD

Your Turn to Shine — Become a Sponsor!
Evening of Insight is more than a fundraiser—it’s a movement. A movement that ignites respect, builds empathy, and promotes disability awareness in the next generation.
As a sponsor, you will:
✅ Make a lasting impact on thousands of young lives
✅ Align your brand with values of inclusion and compassion
✅ Join a powerful network of community changemakers
* Interested in sponsoring EOI 2026?
Contact Roxanne at roxanne@touchofunderstanding.org to learn how you can be part of this transformational evening.
Together, let’s celebrate 30 years of impact—and continue changing lives, one child at a time.

01/14/2026

What happens when amazing ATOU volunteers get together for a night of basketball, cheers, and community spirit?
✨ Pure fun—on and off the court! ✨
This past Sunday night, Mary Herdegen, Doris Morales, Kim Ezell, Melissa Bachrach, Susan McClain, Kyle McClain, KP, Heidi Lockett, and Jill Mason headed to the Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets game at the Golden 1 Center—and the energy did not disappoint!
From fast breaks and buzzer-beaters to high-fives, laughs, and lots of Kings pride, it was a fantastic night of connection and camaraderie.
Moments like these remind us that volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s also about building community, sharing joy, and celebrating time together outside the classroom.
Huge thanks to this incredible group for all you do to support A Touch of Understanding—on the court and beyond!

01/13/2026

This is why we do what we do. 💛
After attending an A Touch of Understanding workshop, two students took the time to write us letters—and their words say it all.
From trying wheelchairs and writing in braille to gaining a deeper understanding of what people with disabilities experience every day, these students shared how our workshop opened their eyes, changed their perspective, and sparked meaningful conversations at home.
One student wrote about discovering that what they thought would be “easy” wasn’t—and how that realization mattered. Another shared how learning about disabilities helped them better understand someone they already knew, and how inspired they were by our speakers’ courage and stories.
Moments like these remind us that empathy is learned—and when it’s learned young, it lasts a lifetime. 💙
Thank you to our incredible volunteer speakers and school partners for making this impact possible, one student at a time.
✨ Keep an eye on the images to read these powerful letters straight from the heart.

01/09/2026

It’s here!
As part of our 30th Anniversary celebration, we’re excited to share the refreshed podcast conversation featuring Meghan Adamski and longtime volunteer speaker Karen Parsegian.

This meaningful conversation, created with the Non Profit Podcast Network and host Jeff Holden, reflects the heart of A Touch of Understanding and the ripple effect of empathy and inclusion.

👉 🎧 Listen here: https://www.nonprofpod.com/empathy-and-inclusion-celebrating-30-years-of-a-touch-of-understanding-update/

01/08/2026

*Winter Fun Starts Here*
Don’t let the cold keep you inside — winter is full of awesome outdoor adventures for all ages! Here are some creative ideas to make the season magical (even without snow) https://ourdaysoutside.com/20-surprising-outdoor-winter-activities/
Fun & Active Outdoor Ideas:
* Build a backyard fort with branches & nature finds — kids and adults will love it!
* Cozy up around a fire with hot cocoa, marshmallows, and storytelling.
* Set up an obstacle course — stay warm while getting moving!
* Go for a winter hike — trails are peaceful and beautiful this time of year.
* Fly a kite on a crisp, breezy day!
Explore & Discover Nature:
* Go on a nature scavenger hunt — find berries, seedpods, evergreen treasures & more!
* Make DIY bird feeders and watch who visits your yard.
* Visit a botanical garden or nature preserve — quiet beauty awaits!
* Head to the beach in winter — tide pools, shells, and shoreline hikes are just as fun!
Classic Favorites:
* Outdoor ice skating — whether it’s a rink or frozen pond (follow safety first)!
* Attend a winter festival or seasonal event in your community.
Bonus Tips:
Bring a thermos with a favorite warm drink , bundle up in cozy layers , and don’t forget your camera to capture winter magic!
Tell us: What’s your favorite winter tradition or outdoor idea? Drop it below!