Touching Heart is an incredible organization empowering and enabling children to make an impact. The model is unique and allows children to learn and understand the impact and benefits of giving, not just to others but to themselves.
My journey with Touching Heart started when I was 7 years old helping my older sister organize an event. From the moment I joined Touching Heart, I knew I had discovered a supportive local community that scaffolds young kids towards giving back. Touching Heart is an amazing organization that instills community values and character into young volunteers. After organizing and volunteering in several events, I joined the Junior Board, where I was exposed to leadership and industry-level organization. Now, a student ambassador program has been established to give more student volunteers opportunities for professional exposure and character-building. All in all, Touching Heart is an amazing non-profit that uplifts the next generation of our community.
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My story with Touching Heart started very young in elementary school. Back then, my older sister joined Touching Heart because she knew Isabella Yi, Touching Heart's founder's sister. As any younger brother does, I tagged along with my sister and helped her organize her first Touching Heart event: an annual run-a-thon fundraiser. By the end of the event, I found myself oddly satisfied at the success of the event, especially when we were able to meet the Ugandan principal we were donating the $2000 raised to. Much after the event, I got an update from the principal showing me how my success directly led to new school renovations and improvements in the students' quality of life.
Since then, I have been involved in Touching Heart, whether it be participating in fundraising programs or organizing and planning events as part of the junior board. Overall, I have discovered first hand how Touching Heart provides amazing opportunities for young kids to get involved with giving back and supporting others in need. It instills important values of leadership skills, cooperation abilities, and community service appreciation in the next generation, nurturing a paragon of community.
What I find special about Touching Heart that they teach our youngsters to be caring and empathetic. It is not just talking and advising them, they also teach them how to raise money for children through structured programs such as Kids on a Mission and Schools on a Mission. 100% of the funds raised by children are sent to a charity that they selected worldwide. Touching Heart also have a Corporate Social Responsibility vehicle for corporations to support Touching Heart.
Touching Heart founder, Helen Yi, contacted me back in the early 2000's to talk about my experience with forming a non-profit based on my experience with Hearth to Hearth Ministries. Over the years her "Kids on a Mission" have partnered with our children in both Uganda and Kenya as friends as well as funded many projects to benefit them. They have included our kids as global friends, inviting them to participate in an art contest and a running race. Our kids in Africa are grateful to and for their friends at Touching Heart, and so are we!
My school club, All Students United, worked with Touching Heart to host a Staff v. Student basketball game fundraiser to raise funds for foster care. Touching Heart was so fun to work with. They were always on top of getting us what we needed. For example, they provided shirts for the staff and student teams that played. Their immense amount of support is what made our basketball game so successful. We were able to raise around $800 and had over 100 people come watch the game. The basketball game was all people could talk about for the next few weeks. Our club is super thankful for Touching Heart and would choose to work with them again in a heartbeat.
I first got involved with Touching Heart in 7th grade, when I joined the club at my school. I loved being able to plan fundraising events, especially knowing that they would help local kids. I decided to apply to be a member of the junior board in 9th grade. It has been one of the most amazing opportunities. Being able to help people has been so rewarding, and I can't express the happiness I feel knowing I have made a difference in someone's life. I enjoyed my involvement in Touching Heart so much that I joined the officer team of the Touching Heart club at my school. Through this, I am able to share the joy of helping others with other kids at my school. Touching Heart has truly inspired me, and I hope that through this I can inspire even more people to pay it forward.
I have been volunteering at Touching Heart for about 2 years and its an amazing experience. I have been able to run a event and making a positive impact on the community makes me and others also feel happy. I'm excited to come back and do another event, or volunteer at Touching Heart events because everything is done thoroughly. Touching Heart's mission is really honest and really promotes positivity the community.
I have been with the Touching Heart Junior Board for a little more than a year now, and I've learned so much. I've participated in many events from Art Contests to Santa's Workshops, and being able to help kids and families everywhere not only makes a different in their life, but in mine too.
Touching Heart has done so much to enrich the lives the children (and adults!) through service projects that are fun, fulfilling and family friendly. You walk away from a Touching Heart event wanting to do/give and share the Joy of giving with everyone around you! Highly recommend!
Touching Heart is a truly amazing organization. Every volunteer and board members’ dedication to empowering kids to give to the community shines through their Schools on a Mission and Kids on a Mission programs. I personally participated in Touching Heart’s SOAM program, KOAM program, and Junior Board, where I met so many amazing people and gained multiple opportunities to give back to my community through volunteering and fundraising. Touching Heart has empowered and given me a way to make a difference in the world. I’m so honored that I’ve been able to be a part of Touching Heart’s empowering mission!
Our company was a sponsor of the Family Fun Day in 2021 and the event was a huge success. The team that organized the event was very helpful and did a great job making sure that everyone there felt welcomed.
Touching Heart has truly changed my life. I am so honored to be a part of an organization where my children are also able to contribute to helping others. With all the many non-profits out there, its been a blessing to find one that not only helps those in need but teaches our next generations about how to give.
Grandiosity Events benefited Touching Heart for our 5th annual Celebrity charity PoloXJazz hosted by Emmy Award TV Star Carson Kressley and RHONYC Bershan Shaw last September 2021 at Congressional Polo Club!
Touching Heart genuinely cares for the youth in the community and brought approximately 20 children to watch the exciting Polo event! Prior to the polo event, they did a shopping spree with the youth inside Macys Ballston Common!
The look on their faces made my heart smile!
Keep up the GRAND work Touching Heart founder Helen Shin and Executive Director Ken Harvey!
All of the Touching Heart programs are top notch. It is a great organization that teaches kids so many positive things, especially the joy of giving. I am always so impressed with the kids that speak at the various events. We need more people like those involved in Touching Heart!
I've been a Board member at Touching Heart for over two years now, and have seen firsthand the difference that our programs make. Children come away inspired and empowered to continue giving and make a difference in the world. Now more than ever, the world needs programs like Kids on a Mission and School on a Mission to help create the next generation of compassionate leaders.
I met Helen in our kid's school back in 2010. Our discussions started on how Helen and her daughter Taylor had founded Touching Heart. I was completely floored by the wonderful idea of 'kids helping kids'. One thing led to other and then there was no looking back.
It is a special feeling to be part of fun fairs, Kids on a Mission events, work shops and annual golf. Knowing that a small act of kindness can bring big difference in somebodies life, was a huge inspiration and motivation. My kids are hugely inspired and have grown up with the idea of Touching Heart. They both have been part of various events and have run their own birthday missions to help kids in need. My husband is an ardent supporter of this novel cause. For me and my family Touching Heart is not just an organization, it's a 'way of life'.
Touching Heart is an inspiration to our young generation. It beautifully brings out generosity and care in our children while keeping up with their new era of technology and interest. So proud to have this program in our school and whether it's projects or just a dose from the after school activities- its vision stays within their heart. Keep up the great work!
I've worked with lovely ladies Helen and Sumona from Touching Heart. They have the best intentions and spirit. Children are most innocent and open hearted and they make the best donors. A beautiful value to share from a young age. My children have participated and donated their gifts.
Touching Heart is a great organization for kids to learn about giving their time to help less fortunate kids in our community. My son participated at his school as before school program and truly enjoyed the sessions whether It was making sandwiches or scarves for children in need. Not only he wants continue to parcipate in this program but his six years old brother also wants to join which was wonderful to hear.
I always believe kids are natural givers, they just need a media to show their talent! TouchingHeart is an excellent platform for kids to learn this beautiful act, the act of giving and generosity which in the future helps them to be a better person! My daughter participated in few TouchingHeart activities and I notice she feels empowered after every event! She is very motivated and says giving increases her self confidence and self esteem! Many of my friends and their family are actively involved in this cause and by witnessing what they can do, my kids realize they have a power to make a positive difference!