Tag: Youth Volunteer

FCSN Stories, Individuals, Programs, Spotlight, Volunteers

Volunteering At FCSN

Imagine someone you love is in need of support from their community, but that support is just not there. Imagine how helpless that might make you feel as you witness your loved one struggle. Would you wish to find a haven where your loved one felt like they belonged? For many, Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is that haven. Founded in 1996 by ten families, and now serving over a thousand families in the Bay Area, FCSN’s mission is to help individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. I spoke to one of the co-founders, Linmei Chiao, to find out more about the heroes running this organization. Continue reading Volunteering At FCSN

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Children Programs, Individuals, Programs, Remote/Virtual Programs, Spotlight

Spotlight on Math FUN-damentals Program

Along with many educational and recreational programs offered at FCSN, the organization has recently introduced its own Math Fun-damentals program. Math Fun-damentals, which launched in 2021, is an online tutoring class in which children with special needs can learn the basics of algebra and other varying topics. Continue reading Spotlight on Math FUN-damentals Program

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Individuals, Spotlight

FCSN GYVers 2023: Rosalie Chiang

As a young actor, 18-year-old Rosalie Chiang has already accomplished impressive milestones in her career, including being the voice actor for the main character Mei Lee of Turning Red. While Rosalie is known for her voice and acting skills, a big part of her identity lies elsewhere: giving back to the community. FCSN has always been a key part of her story. Having joined FCSN at an incredibly young age and growing up with the organization by her side, the recent high school graduate has not only made a defining impact on the organization but has also learned valuable lessons while volunteering.  Continue reading FCSN GYVers 2023: Rosalie Chiang

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Individuals, Spotlight

FCSN GYVers 2023: Jennie Wang

Between her work at SNTutoring and FCSN Voices, Jennie Wang’s volunteer service has been invaluable to the special needs community. A hard working and determined volunteer and a strong advocate for neurodiverse children, Jennie has worked tirelessly for the past 2 years with the goal of raising awareness for issues that are commonly brushed over in the neurodiverse community. Continue reading FCSN GYVers 2023: Jennie Wang

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Individuals, Spotlight

FCSN GYVers 2023: Ashley Ma

Every Sunday, Ashley Ma brought not only over ten years of experience as a pianist, but also a heart full of compassion and patience to the FCSN South Bay community through her work at Special Melodies Choir Program, a class for neurodiverse individuals to enjoy singing and dancing in a group setting. Throughout her journey from assistant teacher to Executive Committee member, Ashley’s service over the past five years has been invaluable to special needs students and the Special Melodies program alike. Continue reading FCSN GYVers 2023: Ashley Ma

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
FCSN Stories, Individuals, Spotlight, 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 

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Announcements, News, News/Events

2023 FCSN Scholarship Program Recipients

As FCSN continues its goal of building a welcoming community and improving its programs and events, for the third year now, FCSN offered its scholarship fund to youth volunteers in support of their college education and in recognition of their valuable contribution to the special needs community. As part of the scholarship committee chair, Jason Hwan (co-president of FCSN) explains, “We really want to give this opportunity to recognize and show our appreciation to those wonderful volunteers.” Continue reading 2023 FCSN Scholarship Program Recipients

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Individuals, Spotlight

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

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Arts & Crafts, Children Programs, Programs, Special Interest

Crafting a New Future: Ravi Prabhune Starts Successful Woodworking & 3D Printing Class

After attending an FCSN-hosted event and noticing attendees working with crafts, rising senior Ravi Prabhune had the idea to use his knowledge of crafting and start a series of courses that teach students how to create their own projects through woodworking and 3D printing. Because this course series was Ravi’s original idea, he asked FCSN for permission and then his family for advice and how to approach the task. He was able to launch his course successfully after receiving FCSN’s approval. Continue reading Crafting a New Future: Ravi Prabhune Starts Successful Woodworking & 3D Printing Class

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment
Programs, Remote/Virtual Programs

Meet Aarav Sharma: the Rising Junior behind FCSN’s Intro To Spanish Course

Meet Aarav Sharma, a rising junior at Archbishop Mitty High who taught an 8 week Intro to Spanish Course at the South Bay FCSN Center. However, this was not Aarav’s first time teaching classes with FCSN. Previously, Aarav has also taught subjects ranging from coding to math to children with special needs at the South Bay FCSN Center. Continue reading Meet Aarav Sharma: the Rising Junior behind FCSN’s Intro To Spanish Course

fcsnvoicesLeave a comment