Harmony in Rhythm – Special Needs Percussion Guard Program

In the heart of the bustling community of Fremont, California, a unique and transformative music program is making waves. This program is spearheaded by Anna Wang, FCSN Co-Founder and Harrison Cheng, a longtime music teacher, and inspired by Annie Wen, a USC senior and former president and CEO of the tri-city band core for FCSN. The Special Needs Percussion Guard Program, founded in 2018 and having its first performance in 2019, is not just about creating music; it’s about fostering connections between students, building confidence, and empowering individuals with special needs through the universal language of rhythm. Continue reading Harmony in Rhythm – Special Needs Percussion Guard Program

Interview with Sherry Meng: Advice for Parents on Preparing Children for Employment & Starting a Business

Through Turtleworks, founder Sherry Meng provides young adults with special needs the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in a supportive environment, fostering their independence and personal growth.
In this interview, Meng describes how parents can best prepare their children for future employment based on her own experiences. She also shares advice for other parents who want to start a business employing people with special needs. Continue reading Interview with Sherry Meng: Advice for Parents on Preparing Children for Employment & Starting a Business

Uniting Art and Community through FCSN Voices Graphic Artist Collaboration Project

In January 2024, the Graphic Artists on the FCSN Voices team launched a Digital Art Collaboration program. In this program, special needs students and graphic artists embark on a journey of artistic exploration over the course of four weeks. The resulting artwork proudly lives on the FCSN Voices website in an online gallery, showcasing special needs individuals’ combined talents and creativity. Continue reading Uniting Art and Community through FCSN Voices Graphic Artist Collaboration Project

Special Needs Talent Showcase: 10 Years of Empowerment

On April 13, 2024, FCSN held its tenth annual talent show finals at the Santa Clara Convention Theater. The show featured eleven finalist performances and eight honorable mentions. Now on its tenth year, the showcase has evolved from an informal opportunity for the special needs community to showcase their talent to a diverse form of empowerment for the community as a whole. Continue reading Special Needs Talent Showcase: 10 Years of Empowerment

Building Community and Support: The Impact of East Bay Family Gathering at FCSN

Since its establishment in 1996, the Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) organization has been a beacon of support for families facing challenges with children who have special needs. Among the organization’s many initiatives, family support gatherings stand out as cornerstone events, offering nurturing environments where children can engage in enriching activities while parents connect, share their experiences with their children, and find resources… Continue reading Building Community and Support: The Impact of East Bay Family Gathering at FCSN

FCSN Young Leaders Committee: Gingerbread House Building Social

The FCSN High School Student Council is a new branch of youth leadership within FCSN’s Young Leaders Committee, aimed at fostering community engagement and strengthening bonds among FCSN youth volunteers. Since its creation, the council has been actively organizing various events to provide opportunities for volunteers to connect and collaborate… Continue reading FCSN Young Leaders Committee: Gingerbread House Building Social

Thank You To Our FCSN Family & An Incredible Journey

Our child Victoria has experienced so many challenges in her life from birth until her young adulthood now. Despite all her challenges, she has dramatically grown and improved tremendously because of all the teaching and guidance and support from FCSN for many years now. Victoria is very happy and loves going to FCSN. Continue reading Thank You To Our FCSN Family & An Incredible Journey

Laying FCSN’s Foundations: Stanley Woo’s FCSN Journey

After joining FCSN as a construction team volunteer in 2004, Stanley Woo has helped build all 3 of FCSN’s centers (East Bay, South Bay, and Osgood). He shares his journey from engineering student to construction team member, as well as all of the valuable lessons he has learned along the way. Continue reading Laying FCSN’s Foundations: Stanley Woo’s FCSN Journey