2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is an award given by the President to reward volunteers for devoting hours to community service. Since 2014, FCSN has been participating in this program as a certifying organization to incentivize our volunteers to participate in more activities and serve their communities. In the past year of 2022, 31 FCSN youth volunteers earned the PVSA young adult and teen awards for bronze, silver, and gold categories. Continue reading 2022 President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

Sairisheeth’s Journey in Creating FCSN Tennis Camp

β€œWhen I first found out about FCSN, I wanted to bring something I was passionate about to this special community,” FCSN Tennis Program Founder Sairisheeth Venkat said. Sairisheeth learned about FCSN when he was searching for volunteer opportunities online and was fascinated by the close-knit community and numerous opportunities offered by the organization to help special needs individuals.Β  Continue reading Sairisheeth’s Journey in Creating FCSN Tennis Camp

New Development at FCSN Voices

Founded with the purpose of amplifying the voices of the special needs community and instilling a sense of community within FCSN’s united families, FCSN Voices has evolved from a printed newsletter in 1997 to a fully-fledged online publication carrying all the strengths of the digital age. Today, the publication features more than 250 articles, accumulating more than 40,000 views and reaching readers across 10 countries. Over the years, FCSN Voices has seen significant growth as a publication and undergone changes in leadership, format, and direction, but has always remained true to its mission of informing readers on issues important to the special needs community.Β  Continue reading New Development at FCSN Voices

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.Β 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.Β  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.Β  Continue reading Serving the Seniors at Fremont Age Well Center

Food and Nutrition Series: Anna and Lawrence’s Gluten-Free Casein-Free JourneyΒ 

Food and Nutrition Series #6
Some people suffer from food intolerances, causing their bodies to experience immense discomfort which manifests in hyperactivity or self-injurious and aggressive behaviors. Addressing these food intolerances can result in drastic improvement in one’s quality of life. For this edition of the Food and Nutrition Series, Anna shares her journey with the gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet for her son Lawrence.Β  Continue reading Food and Nutrition Series: Anna and Lawrence’s Gluten-Free Casein-Free JourneyΒ 

Food and Nutrition Series: Jia and Alice’s Gluten-Free JourneyΒ 

Food and Nutrition Series #5
A food intolerance is caused by one’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.Β Β  Continue reading Food and Nutrition Series: Jia and Alice’s Gluten-Free JourneyΒ 

SN Tutoring Program Spotlight: Alison Ding and Ms. Liu

SN Tutoring Program Spotlight #1
Parent Ms. Liu recently thanked Tutor Alison Ding for her sharp insight, patience, and open-mindedness while teaching. β€œAlison is not only willing to help special needs kids with extra patience, but she also takes the effort to adjust her way to meet the kid’s level of ability. Not all professionals in the special education field can do that, but Alison does. She quickly builds the bond with her student and keeps open communication with the parents so that both of us can work together as a team. In summary, she is a great tutor!” Continue reading SN Tutoring Program Spotlight: Alison Ding and Ms. Liu

FCSN Plays an Integral Part of My Son’s Life

In March 2020, Bay Area counties instituted Shelter-in-Place orders due to the arrival of the COVID pandemic, and FCSN was forced to suspend in-person programs. This surely created enormous problems for the staff and volunteers who have been keeping this wonderful organization afloat under what are even in the best of times, challenging circumstances. But it also created a crisis for our son Jon and all of the clients and their families who have been relying on FCSN services. Continue reading FCSN Plays an Integral Part of My Son’s Life