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Newsletter #2
From almond crispies to snow bliss cookies, Friends Coffee & Tea’s delicious sweets have a special meaning behind them. Each week, the shop holds a cookie training group session, working with a handful of special needs adults (age 22 and above) to teach them how to make these delicacies. Continue reading Friends Coffee & Tea: Behind the Cookies
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Newsletter #1
First started in April 2018, Friends Coffee & Tea is no ordinary coffee shop. In addition to offering a wide and unique array of drinks and pastries, it is a community mainly operated by special needs individuals where they can make friends and learn. In collaboration with FCSN, the larger mission of Friends Coffee & Tea is to provide workplace training for special needs individuals, who face high unemployment rates. At this shop, they have opportunities to learn shop management skills, exercise their creativity through baking, crafts, and art, and gain experience in a work environment. Continue reading Friends Coffee & Tea: Empowering the Special Needs Community
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What will happen to the special needs adult as the parents grow older and are unable to take care of their them anymore? Who will take care of them and how will their lives look like? Learn about how Supported Living Services (SLS) and Independent Living Services (ILS) addresses these worries and how adults with special needs can learn to achieve an independent lifestyle. Continue reading Peace of Mind Through SLS and ILS
It is often said, “From small beginnings come great things.” For ten years, FCSN Co-Chairperson Jim Chiao collected spare coins in a large plastic bottle at his house. As the coins began to accumulate, Chiao started to consider what to do with them, and finally after much thought, he came up with a brilliant idea, which gave rise to FCSN’s Coin Bank Project. Continue reading FCSN Coin Bank Project: the Power of Small Ideas
FCSN client Lawrence has worked at a State Farm Insurance company branch for 12 years, an office as a paper filer for 8 years, and at a TJ Maxx outlet as a retail and inventory worker for 8 years. In this interview, his mother Anna opens up about the process of finding Lawrence three engaging, steady jobs. Continue reading Employment Success Stories Series: Lawrence Wang
“For our clients with special needs, holding a job can be a purpose already. It makes them feel like they belong.” states FCSN Supported Employment Program Manager Claire Brady. Although there are major hurdles, parents and employers can do a lot to help special needs individuals find employment and thrive in the workplace. Read the story of how Mico successfully landed his dream job at Trader Joe’s. Continue reading Employment for Special Needs Individuals
Supported Employment Program (SEP) client Mariah Laguna learned how to make delicious drinks and would like to share the recipe with everyone. Continue reading Fruity Citrus Egg Honey Drink
FCSN Toastmaster Club Vice President of Public Relation, Alan Hwan, crafted this announcement to promote membership. FCSN Toastmasters welcomes special needs adults 18 and older as members. Members run meetings, give speeches and play a variety of supportive roles. Continue reading FCSN Toastmaster Press Release
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
South Bay W.I.L.L. job coach, Darlynn To, shares the challenges she has had to tackle and the silver-linings that came out as a result of this pandemic. Continue reading Job Coaching During the Pandemic
FCSN Voices 