Massage Therapy Foundation was founded by the American Massage Therapy Association in 1990 with the mission of advancing the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education and community service. The Oberweiler Foundation has partnered with the Massage Therapy Foundation to identify and fund research and service projects that align with our mission. The goal of Howard Area Community Center’s chair massage program is to offer a therapeutic service to women who have violent experiences with human touch. According to research and healthcare experts working with this population, experiences with safe and appropriate touch through massage helps to override the imprint of traumatic touch from abuse.