Written By: John Boyle, FCSN Voices Youth Reporter
Graphics By: Christy Ma, FCSN Voices Graphic Artist

Imagine someone you love is in need of support from their community, but that support is just not there. Imagine how helpless that might make you feel as you witness your loved one struggle. Would you wish to find a haven where your loved one felt like they belonged? For many, Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is that haven. Founded in 1996 by ten families, and now serving over a thousand families in the Bay Area, FCSN’s mission is to help individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. I spoke to one of the co-founders, Linmei Chiao, to find out more about the heroes running this organization.

I could tell from the moment I met Linmei that she is a very kind and determined person. She has the look that she would never give up. Through talking with her for over an hour, I learned that Linmei is a very busy and hard-working individual. She is also a mom who wants the best for her son and other individuals with special needs. Linmei is a co-founder of FCSN organization, a volunteer, and has been the Director of Volunteer Support for years. Our conversation started with her telling me about the history of volunteering at FCSN. Linmei told me that initially, several families along with their friends started FCSN in 1996 by getting together and coming up with fun activities that they thought their children with special needs would enjoy. It was a great way to have the children connect with each other. Later, the founding families hosted a hugely successful summer picnic which was attended by nearly 100 attendees. After that, FCSN organized bi-weekly gatherings for families with special needs children, which allowed FCSN to build their family base. Linmei, with a big smile on her face, pointed out that the history of volunteering at FCSN started on day one because when the 10 families started the organization, they were joined by their supporting and volunteering friends and extended family members. FCSN started to dream big soon after its establishment, and volunteers have played a major role in supporting the organization’s dream. For example, the founders decided to have classes and enrichment programs, so that children with special needs could learn and discover their hidden talents. By 2010, over 40 educational and enrichment programs, ranging from music, arts and crafts, and sports, to drama had been established, and all programs were supported and ran by volunteers. From 1996 to 2006, these programs were funded by family, friends, and community supporters. It wasn’t until after 2006 that the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) helped fund about half of the programs. Today, FCSN has over 1,900 volunteers in the database including over 1,500 aged 14 to 22.  

After getting to know the volunteering history at FCSN, I asked Linmei about some challenges they have been facing relating to volunteering at FCSN. One of the challenges that youth volunteers face when they take care of children with special needs is the limited experience and knowledge they have of special needs. For example, certain kids with autism spectrum disorder need to be treated gently, while some others need firm instructions. To help overcome this challenge, in 2022, FCSN started to provide e-orientation with videos so volunteers can receive in a timely fashion the general initial training. In addition, volunteers should also pay attention to the on-job training that is specific to each student for different situations. Another challenge that FCSN sometimes faces is the attitude of the volunteers. Although many volunteers help the children with their whole hearts, there are some youth volunteers who are just volunteering for service hours without making an effort to understand the students. However, Linmei indicated, again with a big smile, that in recent years, they have seen more and more volunteers who really care about children with special needs. These volunteers connect with the children/young adults with special needs well, and make a difference to these children’s and young adults’ lives through fun and positive interactions. It’s especially touching to see how some dedicated volunteers took the initiative to come up with creative, fun ongoing programs (like lego, money management, public speaking, etc.) or one-time projects/events (like overnight indoor camping, gingerbread house making, etc.) and go through hurdles to make things happen. Please go to FCSN websites to see some current enrichment programs run by our volunteers.

At last, I asked Linmei whether there had been a shortage of in-person volunteers after the pandemic, and if yes, is there a plan to overcome this challenge? Linmei indicated that there had been a shortage of in-person volunteers even before the pandemic. This is largely because volunteers who signed up for the events opted out at the last minute or did not show up at the events. Since the number of volunteers allowed to sign up for an event is limited, not only does the absent volunteer take away someone’s opportunity to volunteer, they may also put the students that they were supposed to take care of at risk. To avoid such a situation, FCSN recently announced a new policy on volunteering. After volunteers sign up for events or activities, if an individual volunteer fails to show up two times without notifying the coordinator, she or he will be suspended from volunteering at FCSN for two months. By doing this, FCSN tries to ensure a sufficient number of volunteers at each event or activity.

FCSN has grown over the years – the organization started as a group of a few families, and now it has become an organization supporting over 1000 families and with thousands of volunteers! At the end of our conversation,  Linmei expressed her deep appreciation to all volunteers for their hard work, effort, and time at FCSN. Volunteers have supported FCSN from day one, and are growing stronger over the years. FCSN won’t be here without our caring volunteers. Linmei also urges all youth volunteers to join the newly formed FCSN Alumni Network after graduating from high school or college. As a youth volunteer myself, I feel like we grow up with FCSN as a big family, and the volunteering experience can enrich our lives in addition to helping others.