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

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

FCSN X The Praxeum Workshop

On January 27th, six special needs individuals and their parents traveled to San Jose to attend a workshop co-hosted with The Praxeum, an indigenous martial arts and parkour organization. The Praxeum teaches Guardian Art, an indigenous fighting art that heavily emphasizes teamwork and collaboration. In this workshop, special needs individuals were able to learn the fundamentals of Guardian Art, as well as participate in a game that pushed them beyond their limits. Continue reading FCSN X The Praxeum Workshop

College of Adaptive Arts Empowers Different Minds

โ€œI realized, in a lot of ways, my sister was more intelligent than me,โ€ DeAnna Purcell, co-founder of the College of Adaptive Arts recalls about her sister. โ€œShe never had her full abilities cultivated, honed, or supported properly.โ€ DeAnnaโ€™s sister, Angel, was born with Down syndrome, a disorder of the bodyโ€™s chromosome 21. Throughout her life, all her education has been through the public education system, a system that often isnโ€™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 DeAnnaโ€™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

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)

Serving the Seniors at Fremont Age Well Center

FCSN Gala: Client Story 1
We go to the City of Fremont Age Well Center to volunteer every Wednesday. Ms. Cathy drives us there so we can work.ย When we get there, the first thing we do is to wash our hands by using hand soap, dry our hands with a towel, and then we put gloves on.ย  Once we are done with basic hygiene, we start to work! We would pick a table to work on, then move to another one. However, we also help each other when needed.ย  Continue reading Serving the Seniors at Fremont Age Well Center

Food and Nutrition Series: Jia and Aliceโ€™s Gluten-Free Journeyย 

Food and Nutrition Series #5
A food intolerance is caused by oneโ€™s body not being able to digest a certain food or an ingredient in the food. For this edition of the Food and Nutrition Series, FCSN parent Jia shared the challenges her daughter Alice faced as a result of gluten intolerance and their journey together in order to manage this condition. Providing inspiration for other families dealing with a similar situation, this article presents the story of a mother’s determination to help her daughter and advice that she would share with the community.ย ย  Continue reading Food and Nutrition Series: Jia and Aliceโ€™s Gluten-Free Journeyย