Basic Organization Information
A TOUCH OF UNDERSTANDING INC
- Also Known As:
-
ATOU
- Physical Address:
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Granite Bay, CA
95746
- EIN:
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68-0389777
- Web URL:
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www.touchofunderstan...
- NTEE Category:
-
R Civil Rights, Social Action, Advocacy
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R23 Disabled Persons' Rights
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B Educational Institutions
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B24 Primary/Elementary Schools
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B Educational Institutions
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B25 Secondary/High School
- Year Founded:
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1996
- Ruling Year:
-
1996
- How This Organization Is Funded:
-
Foundation Grants - $42,927
-
Local Government Grants - $33,489
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Fees for School Workshops - $45,000
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Mission Statement
A Touch of Understanding's mission is to encourage acceptance and respect for all individuals. Our educational programs are designed to increase understanding of differences, thereby minimizing discrimination and social isolation suffered by children and adults who are perceived as different for any reason, but especially those with disabilties.
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Impact Statement
For Fiscal Year 2010-2011:
Accomplishments:
- Provided ATOU's program and reinforcement materials to 4,495 students, through 104 presentations.
- Administered workshop evaluation survey, designed by independent evaluation consultant, Dr. Christina Borbely, Ph.D. This survey involves pre and post-presentations surveys completed by participating students.
- Initial analysis of data shows statistically significant increase in positive attitudes towards peers with a disability. Sixty-seven percent of students surveyed demonstrated overall improvement in feelings, intentions and beliefs associated with people with a disability.
- 100% of responding teachers indicated that ATOU provided a valuable educational experience for their students.
- More than 95% of responses from teacher surveys indicated that ATOU's program improved students' interactions.
- Implemented extensive training for Board members, staff and volunteers.
- Through collaboration with the Univeristy of Phoenix and California State University, Sacramento, trained 20 college students in aspects of operating a volunteer-driven nonprofit agency devoted to disability-awareness education.
- Hosted the AccessToCare Fair, a community resource fair for individuals and families affected by disabilities.
- Completed strategic planning process, facilitated by independent consultant, John Adams.
Goals for 2011-2012
- Provide ATOU's program and reinforcement materials to more than 4,250 students.
- Continue to receive positive feedback from students, teachers and parents.
- Increase the membership of our Youth F.O.R.C.E. to 30 youth members.
- Provide training to staff, volunteers and Board members.
- Increase the number of board members.
- Diversify revenue sources.
Revenue and Expenses
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Financial Statements
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Chief Executive
Mrs. Leslie DeDora
Term:
Since
Sept
1996
Chief Executive Profile:
Leslie DeDora founded ATOU when she saw an unmet educational need in the area of disability awareness. Students who were perceived as different endured teasing and abuse. Leslie created ATOU because she values a person's integtrity and worth, based on who they are, not their appearance or physical ability. Since it's inception, she has been responsible for all aspects of management and program implementation. Leslie and ATOU have received the following awards: 2006 Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Local Hero Award, 2001 Certificate of Recognition from the CA State Assembly, 2001 Proclamation from Acting Governor Cruz Bustamante, 1998 Heroes in Healthcare Community Service Award.
CEO/Executive Director Statement:
A healthy community can be likened to a patchwork quilt. Each individual, like each square of a quilt, has his or her own unique pattern. For the individual, this is comprised of, among other things, their personality, their interests, their abilities, their challenges and their dreams. Just as the sewing of the squares forms a functional quilt, the connection of individuals forms a healthy community. Each individual is attached by a fine thread of understanding, acceptance and respect. A Touch of Understanding strives to create that thread where it does not exist and strengthen it where it does, especially for individuals with disabilities.
Our disability-awareness programs have proven to create and strengthen this thread by increasing understanding, acceptance and respect for children on school campuses throughout the Greater Sacramento area. Our character-building programs teach the life skill of empathy towards individuals with disabilities. Understanding of and empathy for individuals with disabilities is a springboard for appreciation and respect for all people.
ATOU is working with our young people, the crafters of our future, helping them to realize their personal value and their influence on those around them. We are asking them not to simply tolerate one another, not to coexist, but to get to know one another, to embrace their differences, and to connect with that thread of acceptance and respect. In so doing, A Touch of Understanding is empowering our young people to craft strong, functional communities on their school campuses and beyond.
Officers for Fiscal Year
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Highest Paid Employees & Their Compensation
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Program:
Children/Youth Disability Awareness Program
- Budget:
-
--
- Category:
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Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
- Population Served:
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Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
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Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.)
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Adults
Program Description:
A Touch of Understanding provides approximately 100 presentations each school year to students in the Greater Sacramento, California area. Each student participates in the two-part program. In one part the students handle braces and artificial limbs and write in Braille, using a slate and stylus. They use wheelchairs and white mobility canes. They complete tasks using a mirror and headphones to understand the challenges of learning disabilities and autism. The second part includes volunteer speakers who share their experiences and insight with the students. These two parts complement one another by giving students experience with the assistive devices used by people with disabilities as well as the opportunity to meet individuals who uses these tools each day.
Program Long-Term Success:
A Touch of Understanding has provided disability-awareness programs to more than 37,000 students since the pilot program in 1992. Students remember the program for years. Many return to volunteer as young adults.
Program Short-Term Success:
Student responses:
- 92% said they would be more comfortable with people with disabilities.
- 98% responded that ATOU helped them understand more about the tools people with disabilities use.
- 90% said it will be easier to make friends with someone with a disability.
Teachers' responses:
- 99% considered ATOU a valuable educational experience and influential in improving relationships and communcation.
- 92% responded their students had an increased awareness of disabilities and sensitivity for individuals with disabilities.
- 90% reported improved peer interactions.
- 78% reported that interactions with students with disabilities had improved as a result of ATOU.
Parent responses:
- 99% think ATOU will be helpful in encouraging their child to accept and include individuals with disabiliteis in their life.
Program Success Monitored by:
ATOU monitors its success with yearly statistics collected from Student, Parent and Teacher Surveys and qualitative data such as comments obtained from students, parents, teachers and administrators.
Program Success Examples:
A fourth-grade girl, who has cerebral palsy, says that since she and the other students in her school participated in A Touch of Understanding, she no longer feels invisible at school. Even the upper classmen give her "high fives" and call her by name.
A fifth-grade boy, who was born with only one arm, participated in an A Touch of Understanding presentation. A few weeks later, we returned to his school and he asked if he could be one of our speakers to show the students his new artificial arm. He became a celebrity in their eyes.
A third-grade boy, with cerebral palsy, chose to share his challenges with his classmates during an ATOU presentation. Four years later, he met the ATOU team at another school and told of how his third grade classmates changed their behavior after the ATOU presentation and began talking with him and including in their activities. He said A Touch of Understanding made a difference.
A nine-year old boy with autism came into the ATOU office because he heard that our program had come to his school. He had written a story that he wanted to read to the "people who understand." His mother said that since he was able to share his story, he is more relaxed at home and at school.
A young woman who had bi-polar disorder says that A Touch of Understanding is not something she just experienced. It is something she carries with her, influencing who she is.
Program:
Youth F.O.R.C.E. ("Friends Offering Respect ~ Creating Empowerment"
- Budget:
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$35,835
- Category:
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Youth Development
- Population Served:
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Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
Program Description:
Youth F.O.R.C.E. activities focus on building friendships, learning empathy for others, strengthening self-image and coping with disability challenges within oneself and others. Their self-chosen mission is “Making a Difference and Having Fun While Doing It.”
The ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. is composed of an approximately equal number of youth and adults most of whom cope with some type of disability. Each youth-led group meeting includes some aspect of leadership training, team building, sharing of stories, and/or characterbuilding activities and planning. Older members serve as mentors and model empathic, empowering, holistic and resilient behavior for the younger members. Members often serve as youth ambassadors for ATOU’s in-school activity-based,disability-awareness program, traveling to schools and speaking to other students as their schedule allows.
Program Long-Term Success:
Program Short-Term Success:
Program Success Monitored by:
Program Success Examples:
Funding Needs
A Touch of Understanding is seeking to diversify funding sources. We seek grant funding, corporate funding, event sponsorship and individual donations. Schools pay a small portion of the costs to present the programs. All other revenue comes from donations and grants.
Volunteer Needs
A Touch of Understanding is a volunteer-based organization. Volunteers help with school presentations as activity instructors, and speakers who have disabilities. Volunteers serve as mentors, guiding and supporting young members of the ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. Volunteers also assist in the office, with IT and with fundraising events. A Touch of Understanding always seeks new volunteers and board members.
Request for In-Kind Contributions
A Touch of Understanding requests donations of:
a late model wheelchair accessible van,
gas cards for transportation of volunteers, staff and program equipment,
computer and related equipment,
office supplies
gift cards to thank our volunteers and employees
auction items for fundraising events