A Touch Of Understanding

08/28/2026

When Friendship, Service & Purpose Come Together

What a wonderful Rotary meeting today!
I had the special pleasure of introducing Freddie Silveria of FSA Auctions -a valued partner of A Touch of Understanding, an incredible supporter of nonprofits and, most importantly to me, a good friend.

I've had the privilege of working with Freddie for several years as our auctioneer for ATOU's Evening of Insight, and he never disappoints! Today was no exception. Freddie was engaging, entertaining and very well received by our Roseville Rotary Club-and he even put his auctioneer skills to work, helping us auction off a couple of items remaining from our recent Golf Tournament!

Freddie shared stories about his connection with ATOU and the many nonprofits, schools and charitable organizations he has supported throughout his career. Through FSA Auctions, he has now helped raise an incredible $175 MILLION for organizations making a difference in their communities.
But fundraising is only part of Freddie's story.

As a fellow Rotarian with the Passport One Rotary Club, Freddie shares a deep commitment to service. He also spoke about Breaking Down the Walls, a program he created and that works with middle and high school students and carries a message that resonates deeply with the mission of ATOU:
“It’s hard to hate someone whose story you know.”

Those words are such a powerful reminder that when we take the time to listen to one another, understand someone else's experiences and look beyond our differences, perspectives can change.

I'm grateful that ATOU brought Freddie into my life years ago -first as a partner in our mission and, along the way, as a wonderful friend.
Thank you, Freddie, for sharing your stories, your talents and your heart with our
Rotary Club today.

You were a hit!

08/27/2026

August Prepared Us. September, Here We Come.
Some months are about milestones. Others are about getting ready for what comes next.

For A Touch of Understanding, August has been a little of both.
We gathered to celebrate the incredible volunteers who give so much of themselves to our mission. We came together again for training-welcoming familiar faces and new ones as we prepared for another school year.

We shared the story of Marlena, whose years of service remind us that ATOU has always been built by people with big hearts and a belief in the power of understanding.
We introduced you to Mia, who first experienced ATOU as an elementary school student and has now returned years later as an intern-ready to help bring that same experience to another generation.

And most importantly…we're back in the classrooms.
That may be our favorite part of all.
Because everything we do ultimately leads to those moments when a student begins to see someone differently…when curiosity replaces uncertainty, understanding replaces assumptions, and inclusion becomes something they can help create.

So, as August comes to a close, we aren't simply turning the calendar to September.
We're beginning another chapter.

More schools. More students. More stories. More opportunities to change hearts and minds—one experience at a time.
September, we're ready for you.

08/27/2026

Community Connections Matter

This morning, A Touch of Understanding had the opportunity to connect with local business and community leaders at the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast held at Randy Peters Catering & Event Center.

For us, being part of the community is about more than attending an event. It’s about ...building relationships, sharing our mission, and creating connections that can open new doors for the people and communities we serve.

Every conversation is an opportunity to help more people learn about ATOU and our work to build greater empathy, understanding, respect and inclusion.

We’re grateful to be part of a community where businesses, nonprofits and community leaders come together to connect, collaborate and make a difference.

08/25/2026

ATOU Storybook – Celebrating the People Behind the Mission

Marlena: A Heart for Understanding

Every nonprofit is built on the dedication of people who believe deeply in its mission.
For A Touch of Understanding, Marlena is one of those people.
After volunteering with several organizations serving individuals with disabilities, Marlena found ATOU and knew she had discovered a place where she could make a lasting difference. Today, she serves as a workshop volunteer, Fundraiser Committee member, and Board Director.

One experience continues to inspire her. Following an ATOU workshop, a school librarian shared that the participating students were the most respectful, attentive, and engaged students she had seen all school year. That observation speaks to the transformative power of empathy-based education.

When asked why she continues to volunteer, Marlena's answer was simple:
"Every workshop leaves me with a full heart."
Her story reminds us that lasting community impact begins with people who are willing to invest their time, compassion, and leadership in the next generation.

Thank you, Marlena, for helping ATOU build empathy, inclusion, and understanding-one workshop at a time.

One Workshop...One Story...One More Life Touched!

08/21/2026

WE DID IT -THANKS TO YOU!
We are excited to share that A Touch of Understanding has earned the 2026 GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Nonprofit badge!
And the best part? This recognition was made possible by you -the people who know, support and believe in our mission.

To everyone who took the time to share your experience with ATOU, thank you. Your words mean far more than simply helping us earn a badge. Every story helps others understand why our work matters and how teaching empathy, inclusion, understanding and respect can change perspectives and strengthen our communities.

As we celebrate 30 years of A Touch of Understanding, this recognition feels especially meaningful because it reflects the voices of people who have experienced and witnessed our mission firsthand.

Thank you for sharing our story by sharing yours.
We are so grateful to have you as part of the ATOU community!

08/21/2026

Community Connections Matter
Today, A Touch of Understanding was proud to be represented at the 2026 State of the City Address, hosted by the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce at the Placer Valley Soccer Complex.

It was a wonderful opportunity to hear Roseville Mayor Krista Bernasconi share about the continued growth and future of the City of Roseville—and to see so many community, business and civic leaders gathered together in one place.
For ATOU, events like this are about more than attending. They are about connecting.

Some of the relationships and opportunities that have helped increase awareness of ATOU's mission have begun with a simple introduction or conversation at community events just like this one. Every new connection is another opportunity to share who we are, what we do, and why teaching empathy, inclusion and respect matters.

A special thank you to the Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce for creating opportunities that bring our community together and help local organizations build meaningful relationships.
We are grateful to be part of a region where businesses, nonprofits, civic leaders and community members continue to connect, collaborate and support one another.
Because sometimes growing a mission starts with simply showing up.

08/20/2026

Throwback Thursday -From the Carpool Conversations Archive
Sometimes the best way to understand the impact of A Touch of Understanding is to hear from someone who experienced it firsthand.

Meet Sarah Kate.
Sarah Kate first experienced an ATOU disability awareness workshop as a young child. But her connection to ATOU didn't end when the workshop was over. As she grew older, she became involved with our program herself-turning an experience she had as a student into an opportunity to help others learn about empathy, understanding, and inclusion.

In this month's Carpool Conversation, we're taking a ride back in time to hear Sarah Kate's story in her own words-and to revisit another wonderful example of how the seeds planted during an ATOU workshop can continue to grow for years to come.
Take a ride with us and watch Sarah Kate's Carpool Conversation:
https://youtu.be/SuxSiyMIwfg?si=GmHf06Z-baDkNM-q
Carpool Conversations Archive

Celebrating 30 Years of Stories, One Ride at a Time.

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

08/18/2026

Back to School...Back to Building Understanding!

The school year is underway-and so are we!
Picture a classroom filled with students who aren't just listening...they're experiencing.

A student carefully navigates with a white cane. Another discovers what it takes to maneuver a wheelchair. Someone runs their fingers across Braille for the first time. Questions are asked. Conversations begin.
And then our volunteer speakers share something no activity can fully teach-their own lived experiences.
That's when something begins to change.

Students start looking beyond a disability and seeing the person. They discover that differences don't have to create barriers. And they leave with a little more empathy, understanding, and confidence about how to include others.

For 30 years, that's what A Touch of Understanding has been bringing into classrooms throughout our region.
As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we're excited to once again partner with educators to help create school communities where every student feels seen, respected, and valued.

Because some of the most important lessons students learn aren't found in a textbook.

Interested in bringing ATOU to your school?
📧 [email protected]
📞 916-791-4146

08/17/2026

Ready to Make a Difference

The school year is underway-and ATOU is already back in classrooms!
As we begin another year of bringing disability-awareness workshops to students throughout our region, our volunteers recently came together for training, learning and a little reconnecting before a busy year ahead.

Some of the faces in the room have been part of A Touch of Understanding for years. Others are just beginning their ATOU journey. But whether veteran or newbie, they share something important: a willingness to give their time to help young people see disability-and one another-with greater understanding.

Training gives our volunteers an opportunity to refresh their skills, become familiar with our hands-on activities and equipment, ask questions, learn from one another and better understand the important role they play during each workshop.

Because when a student navigates a wheelchair, experiences using a white cane, discovers Braille, or listens to one of our speakers share their personal story, there are dedicated volunteers helping make that experience possible.
Our classrooms may already be busy, but so are the people behind the scenes who make our mission come to life.

To our veteran volunteers-welcome back! And to those joining us for the first time-welcome to the ATOU family!

Here’s to another school year of changing hearts, changing minds and building a more inclusive world-one student at a time.

08/13/2026

Building a Culture of Inclusion

Every inclusive school culture begins with the people who shape it every day.
Before students fill the hallways this fall, A Touch of Understanding will spend a day at Wheatland Union High School working with approximately 100 teachers and staff-exploring disability awareness, accessibility, empathy, and inclusion.

It's a reminder that creating an environment where every student feels valued doesn't happen by accident. It begins with educators who are committed to learning, growing, and leading by example.
We're grateful to partner with Wheatland Union High School once again as they continue investing in a campus culture where understanding isn't simply discussed-it's practiced.

Next month, we'll return to continue the journey with more than 400 students.
Because lasting change begins with those who lead the way.
Coming soon: Part 2 -Empowering the Next Generation.

For 30 years, A Touch of Understanding has believed that empathy can be taught—and together with partners like Wheatland Union High School, we're helping build communities where everyone belongs.