About A Gentle Touch Works, Inc.

The Story of A Gentle Touch Works

A Gentle Touch Works, Inc. began with a simple but powerful belief: meaningful change can start with a gentle touch—a listening ear, an encouraging word, or a helping hand offered at the right moment.

The organization grew from the life and service of founder Diana J. Williams. Since beginning her public-service career in 1990, Diana has worked alongside children, youth, adults, and families through health and human services, family support, workforce development, community partnerships, and after-school programming. These experiences showed her that people are better able to move forward when they feel heard, valued, and supported.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Diana shared her vision with Erma Jones, Brenda Colbert, and Tracey Mason. Together, the four women formed the original group behind A Gentle Touch Works. With compassion, trusted relationships, and a shared commitment to service, they partnered with the Chris Howell Foundation in Dallas, Texas, to provide groceries, drinking water, personal protective equipment, and other essential supplies to community members affected by the pandemic.

That response became the beginning of AGTW.

From the start, AGTW was created to do more than provide services. It was established to build relationships, restore hope, and help people recognize their strengths and possibilities.

As the organization grew, its commitment to young people led to the creation of the Youth Empowerment Solutions—or Y.E.S.—Mentor Group. Serving youth ages 12 through 18, Y.E.S. helps participants build confidence, resilience, leadership, life skills, and readiness for school, careers, and adulthood.

At AGTW, young people are not viewed as problems to be solved. They are valued community members whose ideas, voices, and potential matter. Through mentoring, workshops, service projects, enrichment activities, and youth-adult partnerships, participants are encouraged to make healthy decisions, establish goals, lead, and take ownership of their futures.

AGTW also recognizes that mental wellness, physical health, family stability, education, employment, relationships, and access to essential resources are deeply connected. This understanding shapes the organization’s whole-person, whole-community approach.

Through the Community Care Initiative, AGTW provides practical support such as food, water, hygiene products, school supplies, holiday assistance, and other essential resources. The Gentle Wellness Initiative promotes emotional wellness, positive identity, personal care, physical health, and community belonging. AGTW is also developing the Pathways to Purpose Workforce Readiness Initiative to help youth and adults strengthen their career, communication, digital, financial, and employment skills.

In January 2026, A Gentle Touch Works received federal recognition as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization, creating new opportunities to expand its partnerships, resources, and community impact.

Today, Diana Williams, Erma Jones, and Brenda Colbert continue carrying forward the vision that brought the organization to life. Their service reflects the compassion, collaboration, and commitment at the heart of AGTW.

The story of A Gentle Touch Works is still being written—in every young person who finds the courage to use their voice, every family supported during a difficult season, and every person empowered to imagine a healthier and more hopeful future.

A Gentle Touch Works because people matter, relationships matter, and lasting transformation does not always begin with a grand gesture. Sometimes, it begins with compassion, encouragement, and a gentle touch.