Character-building disability-awareness program for school children in the Greater Sacramento area

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2Zx_aW2OaI

Have fun with us...

The ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. has expanded with the assistance of the assistance of the YAB Grant. FORCE stands for Friends Offering Respect ~ Creating Empowerment.

We currently have over 100 members of all abilities planning activities every month. The activities have included: Snow Sports, Game Night, Video Game Parties, Movies & Live Theater, Dances, Parties and Mixers, and attending the California State Fair as a group.
The ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. serves to educate the community by taking part in the in-school disability awareness program and outreach activities to raise public awareness of the value and abilities of people with disabilities.
Every month they meet they not only provide fun and activities, each event must include a service activity. Past activities have included Book Drives for lower income schools, Christmas and Valentine Cards for our injured service members in Germany, and making blankets for members of their group that are ill. They keep their legs warm while they are in their wheel chairs.
 

AccessToCare Fair

This outreach project by A Touch of Understanding and the ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. is designed to offer practical and professional resources to individuals and families affected by disabilities and issues of aging. The entire event is free and the community was welcome to attend the event. This is the only one of its kind in Northern California.
Approximately 1000 people attended the event on April 21st with 92 exhibitors providing information and products. Free seminars were provided concerning Autism and A Loving Approach to Dementia Care. Childcare was provided free as well.
The AccessToCare Fair is a trusted source where people with disabilities, their families, seniors, veterans, caregivers and healthcare professionals gain knowledge and empowerment (and have fun!).
Representatives from State Farm presented our 'big' check so everyone could share in knowing how an event such as this was able to happen.... FREE!
 

Easter Egg Hunt

The ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. provided a game booth for the kids attending the Granite Bay Easter Egg Hunt. ATOU partnered with the Granite Bay Kiwanis Club to make this event successful.

50,000 Students in 15 Years

A ribbon cutting ceremony was provided by the Roseville Chamber of Commerce on  March 23, 2012 when ATOU celebrated their providing the program to over 50,000 students in the past 15 years. Over 250 people were in attendance for this remarkable evening celebration. Two of the members of the ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. shared their remarkable success stories with the audience and talked about the importance of the youth group.

Video Game Night with the ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E.

Many of the ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. members spend a lot of time on video games because of their limitations of many sports. Our kids may be lacking in some of the athletic departments, but these young people are exceptional gamers... thus their idea to have a video game night.

The core group met and realized their task would be a little challenging. They researched how they would be able to accomodate several gamers at a time and found there are buses that can provide this service. They also realized the bus or vehicle must be able to accomodate kids with wheelchairs. The purpose of the group is to be able to include everyone... so after great research they accomplished the task and ended up having two busses plus additional games set up in the multi-purpose room at the school. The event was more than successful with over 100 in attendance!

These kids can really put on an event!

A Touch of Understanding is proud of the support the YAB State Farm grant has provided. This banner is displayed at all events and every program we attend. Thank  you State Farm YAB for your support... we honestly could not do what we do without your support....

Our Volunteer Team

A Touch of Understanding utilizes over 10,000 volunteers each year. These are people with all types of abilities.

Not only do the volunteers assist during the programs at the schools, but they help in the ATOU office and at events.

ATOU also provides office work to volunteers who need work experience. This not only adds to their self-asteem, but builds their resume.

Without the valuable volunteers and the hours they contribute, we could not be successful! We love our volunteers!

Speaking about Autism

Amanda has Autism. She travels with ATOU to schools and talks about what it is like to have Autism. She talks about the things that are hard for her and the things she is really good at.

Amanda explains why the student with Autism may flap their hands, walk funny and how loud sounds affect her.

Amanda provides hope to parents and talks to teachers and students about being patient and understanding to a person with Autism.

Students in this photo are learning about living with Autism. They are listening to a CD with various sounds. While they are listening a voice explains how a child with Autism might hear. They are also wearing gloves that are itchy and have beads sewn inside. This captures the way a person with Autism might experience the feeling or skin sinsitivity.

This component of ATOU's program is certainly the most appreciated by the parents and teachers. Almost every class we present too, has at least one student with Autism.

Bullying

Denise is one of our ATOU speakers that addresses being bullied in school.

She is a bright young lady that grew up smaller that all the other students in her class. She also had one leg longer than the other which made it necessary to wear orthotic shoes... not as stylish as the other students always had.

Denise explains how bad it felt to be bullied and teased. She is especially appreciated by the students that might be considered "different" in the classes. What an inspiration this young lady is to EVERYONE!

Students Learn About Braille

While attending the ATOU school workshop, students often hear a speaker who is blind. They will also learn about how a person that is blind might be able to read and write. They are shown how to write their name in Braille and encouraged to share their work with their families. Students are given the Braille Alphabet card to take home. This is one of the many 'take homes' the students receive after going through the workshop.

Sharing Stories

Mike is the first speaker ATOU ever had... he has been with the program for over 14 years!

Mike uses artificial arms due to an automobile accident. He was racing on the Bonnyville Salt Flats when his car went out of control. Mike was and continues to be an airplane pilot. The students love hearing his story and learning how his hands work.

Mike encourages students to stay in school and make friends. He always has his best friend with him... Magy is a beautiful golden retriever and has had her belly rubbed by over 40,000 students!

Many students have a fear of artificial limbs or braces. After they meet Mike they realize they are only tools... and everyone wants one!

http://youtu.be/2OhcUw9B-3w

The ATOU Youth F.O.R.C.E. (Friends Offering Respect ~ Creating Empowerment) made their first trip to the snow. For many of these young people, this was the first time they were ever able to play in the snow and ski. With the adaptive equipment provided by Environmental Travel Compansions they had so much fun... even in a blizzard. This not only served as a trip to do the things they were always told would be too hard for then... but as a bonding experience where true friendships were made that will last for a lifetime.

Without the support of the YAB, these kids would have never experienced the trip that brought them so close together. Thank you so much!