Author: fcsnvoices

Art, Children Programs, Programs, Special Interest

Color Your World: Spotlight on FCSN’s Cartoon Character Drawing Class

Art is a fantastic medium for students of all ages to develop their creativity and their imagination. The Cartoon Character Drawing Class, taught by Riley Xu, opens students to the possibilities of art. The students are taught to replicate their favorite cartoon characters through simple lines and shapes, paying attention to the details of their features. Through this class of around four to five students, they develop their attention to detail, their own unique art styles, and creativity, growing with the art skill needed to make their favorite characters from the film world their own outside of the classroom. Continue reading Color Your World: Spotlight on FCSN’s Cartoon Character Drawing Class

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Art, Events, News/Events, Special Interest

A Cozy Cáfe Concert at Friends Coffee & Tea 

On a warm Saturday noon, the excited hum of voices drifted among the April breeze as a gathering audience at FCSN’s South Bay Center chatted merrily while waiting for musical performances to begin. With an assortment of strawberry matcha, fruit teas, chicken croissant sandwiches, and snow bliss cookies from FCSN’s coffee shop, Friends Coffee & Tea, audience members filled the chairs of the concert room, relaxing in the cozy environment.  Continue reading A Cozy Cáfe Concert at Friends Coffee & Tea 

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Announcements, News, News/Events

Osgood Project

For the past 4-5 years, FCSN has been looking for opportunities to expand its facility in Fremont due to the long waiting lists, office overcrowding for our dedicated staff, and the lack of physical space for programs. Currently FCSN must rent spaces to run two of our existing programs. In 2020, FCSN board felt the urgency and formed a site search committee with the goal of acquiring a 10,000+ square feet (sf) commercial property. Previously, our goal was a smaller office of around 3000 sf. Therefore, it was a major decision to seek a much larger facility so we can consolidate our programs and have enough room for future expansion. Continue reading Osgood Project

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Children Programs, Programs

WeDo2 Lego Spring Class Builds Robotics Knowledge at FCSN

In the spring of 2023, Team Alphabots, a FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team, hosted a series of 8 weekly Lego robotics classes to introduce FCSN students to engineering and programming skill sets. With the mission of spreading awareness of STEM fields to young and underprivileged students in the Bay Area, Alphabots’ nonprofit organization, Alphabots4All, reached out to FCSN hoping to assist special needs students in developing an interest in robotics. In Alphabots4All’s lessons, students use the Lego WeDo2 sets, software, and instructional manuals to build projects and learn to code.  Continue reading WeDo2 Lego Spring Class Builds Robotics Knowledge at FCSN

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Clients, Parents, Sharing By, Special Interest, Work & Job Training

Supporting Branden Through the Self Determination Program (SDP)

Two years ago, the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) introduced the Self-Determination Program (SDP) through Person-Centered Planning at an open house. Susan and Yong were quick to sign up for the pilot program, as their son Branden was in the last year of the Young Adult Program at the time. Although Branden was able to keep up with his academic workload, his autism manifested as extreme shyness that prevented him from communicating with others. Susan realized that if Branden were to graduate and enter the real world, he would struggle to survive on his own. In light of this urgent situation, Susan and Yong saw that the Person Centered approach of the new SDP could help Branden achieve independence and become an active member of the community. Continue reading Supporting Branden Through the Self Determination Program (SDP)

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Children Programs, Programs, Remote/Virtual Programs

Biology For Curious Kids

Originally starting as our passion for biological sciences, Biology for Curious Kids has since blossomed into a virtual enrichment program to help kids with special needs learn about biology and its applications to the real world. Through cartoons and thoughtful explanations, the class focuses on engaging students and aiding them in discovering the ever-changing world. We try to make this class as interactive as possible by having the students compete in kahoots, answer questions, or just talk about their day.  Continue reading Biology For Curious Kids

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Announcements, News, News/Events

2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is an award given by the President to reward volunteers for devoting hours to community service. Since 2014, FCSN has been participating in this program as a certifying organization to incentivize our volunteers to participate in more activities and serve their communities. In the past year of 2022, 31 FCSN youth volunteers earned the PVSA young adult and teen awards for bronze, silver, and gold categories. Continue reading 2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

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Children Programs

Breaking Down the Wonders of the Human Body: A Neurodiverse-Inclusive Approach to Biology Education

The complexity of the human body makes it both a fascinating and a challenging subject to comprehend, particularly for special needs individuals. The terminology and concepts used to describe human anatomy can also be overwhelming and frustrating, making it difficult for special needs individuals to grasp the subject and limiting their access to educational resources in the medical field. To bridge this gap, Med-ucate, a student-run nonprofit program, provides free healthcare education by employing interactive teaching styles to help students of all learning abilities understand subjects such as anatomy and physiology.  Continue reading Breaking Down the Wonders of the Human Body: A Neurodiverse-Inclusive Approach to Biology Education

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