Author: fcsnvoices

Art, Children Programs, News/Events, Programs, Special Interest, Summer Programs

Drama Camp Performs Another Exciting Play “Despicable Me (With a Twist)”

Have you ever seen a play performed by children with special needs? Ms. Anna Wang, the founder of FCSN, created the FCSN drama camp for children with special needs 12 years ago. In the last 12 years, the drama camp has performed various themed shows, such as Zootopia, Cars, Finding Nemo, and many more. This year, the FCSN drama camp was held from July 26th to July 29th, revolving around the theme of “Despicable Me” and led by Camp and Play Directors Kelly Ko and Penny Sapkunmongkun. With teamwork, beautiful prop designs, well-rehearsed actors, and many funny scenes, this year’s successful drama camp left show attendees entertained and satisfied.   Continue reading Drama Camp Performs Another Exciting Play “Despicable Me (With a Twist)”

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Sharing By, Special Interest

2023 FCSN Volunteer of the Year: Shelley Li

Shelley Li, a graduated senior from Mission San Jose High School, always held a passion for community service. During her sophomore year, Shelley became a history tutor for SNTutoring, a one-on-one FCSN online program that connects tutors with individuals with special needs, and a youth reporter for FCSN Voices, a publication focused on news regarding the FCSN and special needs community. Later, Shelley led weekly social groups and helped guide FCSN Voices’ transition from a parent-led organization to a youth-led organization, which she now serves as the team lead for. She was also involved in her school’s FCSN club, and last year, she served as its vice president. Through her diverse volunteering contributions, she was named the 2023 FCSN Volunteer of the Year. Continue reading 2023 FCSN Volunteer of the Year: Shelley Li

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Art, Children Programs, Programs, Special Interest

Crafting a New Future: Ravi Prabhune Starts Successful Woodworking & 3D Printing Class

After attending an FCSN-hosted event and noticing attendees working with crafts, rising senior Ravi Prabhune had the idea to use his knowledge of crafting and start a series of courses that teach students how to create their own projects through woodworking and 3D printing. Because this course series was Ravi’s original idea, he asked FCSN for permission and then his family for advice and how to approach the task. He was able to launch his course successfully after receiving FCSN’s approval. Continue reading Crafting a New Future: Ravi Prabhune Starts Successful Woodworking & 3D Printing Class

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Programs, Remote/Virtual Programs

Meet Aarav Sharma: the Rising Junior behind FCSN’s Intro To Spanish Course

Meet Aarav Sharma, a rising junior at Archbishop Mitty High who taught an 8 week Intro to Spanish Course at the South Bay FCSN Center. However, this was not Aarav’s first time teaching classes with FCSN. Previously, Aarav has also taught subjects ranging from coding to math to children with special needs at the South Bay FCSN Center. Continue reading Meet Aarav Sharma: the Rising Junior behind FCSN’s Intro To Spanish Course

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Art, Children Programs, Programs, Special Interest, Summer Programs

Storytelling Through Art: Spotlight on FCSN’s Landscape Painting Class

As the summer sun bathes the cozy Chenming & Margaret Hu Center in a warm glow, young artists gather around the palettes and paints, eager for another day of imagination and relaxation. Led by Mishika Agarwal, FCSN’s Landscape Painting Class has become a cherished weekly event for both students and volunteers alike. With the first class launched on June 17th, the program takes place every Saturday and provides FCSN students an artistic sanctuary where they can explore the world of art and tell their stories through various mediums. Continue reading Storytelling Through Art: Spotlight on FCSN’s Landscape Painting Class

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Events, News/Events

AVWG Rotary Club Coordinates South Bay Center Cleanup

On July 22nd from 9-12 a.m., the Almaden Valley-Willow Glen Rotary Club joined forces with volunteers from FCSN to complete the first phase of the FCSN South Bay Center cleanup project. Friends Coffee and Tea brought refreshments, and the volunteers a cheerful, can-do attitude; the morning of smiles, sweat, and service resulted in a makeover to beautify both FCSN’s clients’ and Friends Coffee and Tea customers’ experiences at the South Bay site. Continue reading AVWG Rotary Club Coordinates South Bay Center Cleanup

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Events, News/Events, Sharing By

FCSN Young Leaders Committee

Since its founding in 1996, FCSN has seen an abundance of volunteers with talent, creativity, and knowledge, all working toward a common mission to serve the special needs community. With the aid of many high school volunteers, FCSN has expanded to feature over 44 programs, ranging from one-on-one tutoring programs to individual enrichment classes. This year, although a roster of exceptional leaders and volunteers have ended their high school journey and will leave their hometowns to pursue different paths in life, many of them hope to still stay involved with FCSN. Started in the summer of 2022, the FCSN Young Leaders committee is a recent initiative dedicated to preserving these volunteers’ connection to FCSN through networking, events, and volunteer experiences.  Continue reading FCSN Young Leaders Committee

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Clients, Parents, Sharing By, Special Interest

College of Adaptive Arts Empowers Different Minds

“I realized, in a lot of ways, my sister was more intelligent than me,” DeAnna Purcell, co-founder of the College of Adaptive Arts recalls about her sister. “She never had her full abilities cultivated, honed, or supported properly.” DeAnna’s sister, Angel, was born with Down syndrome, a disorder of the body’s chromosome 21. Throughout her life, all her education has been through the public education system, a system that often isn’t able to fully support students with disabilities and thus, quickly becomes stressful for them. When Angel aged out of secondary school, she had no place that could allow her to continue her education while also providing her with the support she needed. Angel was DeAnna’s motivation for co-founding College of Adaptive Arts, the first lifelong learning model for adults with disabilities, in 2009. Continue reading College of Adaptive Arts Empowers Different Minds

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Events, News/Events

2023 FCSN Family Day

On June 3 from 4-7 p.m. at the Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Milpitas, FCSN hosted their annual family day celebration, gathering members across the Bay Area for an eventful evening of performances, recognition of achievements, and reflection of the memories made in the past year. With approximately 100 more attendees than last year, the evening blossomed with the joyful unification of friends and families.  Continue reading 2023 FCSN Family Day

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