Help Kids See the Person Before the Disability
The Hazelnut Movement brings interactive school assemblies to elementary students using real stories, books, activities, and conversation to help kids better understand disability, recognize the strengths in others, and learn practical ways to be a friend.
Students discover that we are all different—unique on purpose, for a purpose—and that every child has something valuable to bring.
30–40 minute interactive assemblies for K–5 and K–8 schools
Bring The Hazelnut Movement to Your School
What Students Learn
Students leave knowing how to:
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Notice strengths instead of only limitations
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Understand that people communicate and move in different ways
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Include someone who may need extra help
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Ask questions with kindness
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Choose courage when friendship feels unfamiliar
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Recognize their own unique strengths
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Be the friend
More Than Disability Awareness
This isn’t an anti-bullying assembly.
It’s a friendship and belonging program designed to help students move from:
“They’re different from me.”
to
“I know how to be their friend.”
Through Hazel and Russell’s stories, students learn about challenges, strengths, communication, mobility, and the tools some people use to navigate the world.
Most importantly, they learn to see the whole person.
Different doesn’t mean less.
"She was amazing and I could hear the students talking about it in the hallway. I recommend you invite her to talk to your students and staff. She has an amazing story to share. Thank you, Julia for sharing your journey with Soddy Elementary School!"
Christina Moore- Assistant Principle
See the Message Come to Life
CURRENT TRAVEL DATES
🌲 Washington
Late May 20th – June 2027
Currently scheduling school assemblies and community programs.
Limited openings available.
Scholarships may be available.
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🌵 Arizona
January 2027
Booking school assemblies and community events.
Scholarships may be available.
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🌴 California
October 12-16th 2026
Limited availability while we’re in the area.
Scholarships may be available.
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📍 Tennessee
Available Year-Round
Based in East Tennessee, we regularly serve schools and organizations throughout the region.
Scholarships may be available.
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Don’t See Your State?
We’re always looking for opportunities to bring The Hazelnut Movement to new communities. If you’d like us to visit your school or organization, we’d love to hear from you.
Please don’t let cost hold you back. Thanks to generous donors and sponsors, scholarships are available. We never want finances to be the reason a school misses the opportunity to bring The Hazelnut Movement to its students, and we rarely turn away a school because of budget limitations. We truly believe every student deserves to hear this message—that every person is created different, unique on purpose, for a purpose. If cost is a concern, please reach out. We’d love to find a way to make it happen.