Category: Sharing By

Sharing By, Special Interest, Volunteers

FCSN GYVers 2023: Natalie Hsia 

Natalie Hsia, a recently graduated senior from Cupertino High School, has left a profound impact as a volunteer at FCSN over the past four years. Her journey began with a realization that every student possesses the unique needs and qualities that deserve attention and understanding. Through her commitment to tutoring at FCSN, she found a wonderful way to connect with each student on a personal level, gaining invaluable insights into their individual personalities.  Continue reading FCSN GYVers 2023: Natalie Hsia 

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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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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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Programs, Sharing By, Special Interest

FCSN BSA Troop 3468

“Scouting is about building a young man or woman to become leaders, to become self-sufficient, and to expand the values of scouting, which is to help others,” Troop 3468 Scoutmaster David Ma said. Established in the summer of 2022, Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 3468 strives to nurture these qualities of scouting in the special needs community at FCSN. Through semimonthly troop meetings and monthly outdoor events and camp outs, Troop 3468 not only develops individual character and skills, but also helps every member see and become part of a greater scouting community.  Continue reading FCSN BSA Troop 3468

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Announcements, News, News/Events, Sharing By, Special Interest

Celebrating Trailblazers: Anna Wang’s Journey to the Women’s Hall of Fame

On March 25 at the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, FCSN’s own Auntie Anna Wang received the Women’s Hall of Fame award for her work with special needs children. ​​The Women’s Hall of Fame is a platform that pays tribute to exceptional women in 13 different categories who have made remarkable strides and valuable contributions to both Alameda County and its residents. Recently, Anna also received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Alameda County Developmental Disability Council for her lifetime dedication to the special needs community. These two awards serve as a testament to Anna’s commitment and passion for improving the lives of special needs individuals. Continue reading Celebrating Trailblazers: Anna Wang’s Journey to the Women’s Hall of Fame

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News/Events, Sharing By

Introducing FCSN Parents Committee

As Chair of the FCSN Parents Committee, Wei Li has been involved with the committee since its establishment in August 2022. Throughout its activity, the committee gathered some existing groups and approximately 100 members to form five special interest groups (SIG) dedicated towards business, housing, scouting, and supporting severe autism families. Continue reading Introducing FCSN Parents Committee

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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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