For the first three months of shelter-in-place, Angie was so scared in the beginning because of the Coronavirus, and didn’t want to join the virtual day program classes because of not being confident enough to navigate the Zoom features. But slowly she gained the confidence to adapt by learning and trying new things, even going back to work at TJMaxx. Continue reading Fun Exploration Beyond My Comfort Zone
FCSN Voices is launching FCSN Futures, a series of articles celebrating the experiences, graduations, and lives of the special needs community’s class of 2021. If you know anyone who is graduating from high school or post secondary this year, please help us reach them by making a referral. Continue reading Introducing: FCSN Futures!
This past year was unbelievable! Unexpected things happened and required that we at FCSN adjust everything to challenges we were experiencing. Yet, there are positive things that have resulted in our lives, such as learning to use new technologies, time for fitness and hobbies, and more appreciation for the natural world. Continue reading Positivity and Silver Lining Through SIP
Supported Employment Program (SEP) Job Coach, Shobha Prabala, shares how the team quickly transitioned to virtual Zoom meetings to continue to serve FCSN clients while ensuring everyone’s safety. Continue reading Still on the Job: Together, We Become Stronger
華人特殊兒童之友會(FCSN)30日通過與阿拉米達縣衛生部門合作，在特殊之友會設立的一日移動疫苗接種站，為約220位符合施打疫苗資格的特殊人士及其家人施打疫苗。特殊兒童之友會執行長葉愛卿（Sylvia Yeh）說，此次疫苗接種站是與附近的Haller’s醫療合作，提供僅需施打一次的嬌生疫苗給特殊人士。 Continue reading 華人特殊兒童之友會一日移動新冠疫苗接種站 220人受惠
“When disappointment, grief and fear are gone. Sorrow forgot; love’s purest joys restored. Be still, my soul, when change and tears are past. All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last.” I tell myself, “Be still, my soul when the world is turning upside down. We will meet again with joy and tears on our faces after being through thorny ways.” FCSN Executive Business Director Sylvia Yeh shares her thoughts on adjusting to the pandemic. Continue reading When the World Turns Upside Down, Be Still, My Soul
Adult Day Program Coordinator Jake Haw details the activity changes made to bring clients to the virtual world. Classes include physical fitness, social development, academic, and creativity classes. There are also special theme days, such as Hat Day, or Book Day, to generate extra enthusiasm among the clients. Continue reading Bringing Individuals With Special Needs to the Virtual World
FCSN Youth Volunteer Natalie Hsia was teaching arts at South Bay Family Gathering but had to move her lessons online after the pandemic began. Even though she had no previous experience recording video lessons, Natalie took on the challenge so that she can continue to teach students. Continue reading Teaching Art from Home – creating fun art videos for FCSN
The year 2020 was an exceptional year as shelter-in-place forced FCSN to convert many in-person programs to virtual programs or online learning classes. The efforts of our outstanding volunteers vastly improved the quality of life for many special needs children and adults. Here are the winners of the President’s Volunteer Service Award 2020. Continue reading President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) 2020
LIFE Program Coordinator Monica Gonzalez describes how Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) evolved during shelter-in-place, allowing for the clients with more opportunities to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas on how their program should function. This Person-Centered Planning (PCP) approach is facilitated by the weekly Client Councils, in which clients discuss new class options and plan for upcoming holiday parties. Continue reading Our Clients’ Voice Matters
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