SPECIAL SILICON VALLEY EVENTS
SPECIAL SILICON VALLEY EVENTS
By Gerrye Wong October 29, 2022
Well deserved applause to the Silicon Valley Asian Pacific Film Fest 2022 which held its in-person opening night with a wonderful film, DEALING WITH DAD before a packed audience at AMC Theatre in Sunnyvale. Filmmaker, write and director of the film Tom Huang thrilled the audience with his presence as he was questioned about his thoughts on the movie by NBC Anchor Moderator Mike Inouye. Kudos to Film Fest chair Cindy Toy and Contemporary Arts Theatre Scene President Leianne Lamb for leading the group with this annual event. It’s a wonderful way to showcase documentary films by Asian American filmmakers.
The film fest continues Saturday, today, with Blurring the Color Line by my friend, Crystal Kwok which talks about her mother growing up in the southern state of Georgia and how Chinese were treated in a very discriminative time towards people of color. Tonight a film The Six will tell the true story of the six Chinese men who were on the ill fated Titanic when it went down in 1932. Come out today to see these wonderful films among others. A dedicated event presented by volunteers was a wonderful occasion to witness. Kudos to all.
EXPAND OUR DREAM
As we go into a new month and the end of the year, I know many of us are looking for worthy causes that we can support with our end of year charitable cause to put some tax deductible dollars towards.. I would like to recommend one group that serves a community that has been overlooked for many decades and is now being served by a dedicated group of volunteers wanting to help this underserved group of disabled children and adults – those with special needs due to autism and other related developmental disabilities. They have taken on a very lofty goal of purchasing a third facility in Fremont as they have hundreds of needy individuals on a waiting list to receive their services. They are kick starting their fundraising drive with a gala Chinese dinner event on November 5 at the Pearl Bay Restaurant in Fremont with a goal to raise the first $500,000 to begin their building campaign. As founding Director Anna Wang explains, support at this event will give us a needed boost in encouragement to fulfill our Dream.
FCSN GALA 2022
FCSN Fundraising Gala 2022
Read what Executive Director Sylvia Yeh explains could be happening with expanded services at the new Osgood Property:
FCSN’s vision is to build a supportive village that enriches the lives of individuals, help them gain independence, reach full potential, find happiness and bring peace of mind to their families. However, there are more than 300 individuals on the waiting lists of FCSN vendorized programs as FCSN has reached the full capacity of our current two centers.
New Development Plan at the new center includes:
- Expand After School Program– FCSN will pursue expansion of vendorized After-School Program with Regional Center of East Bay and the license from the Community Care Licensing Children Division. Once the center is ready, we will move the current childcare program to the new site and serve more children.
- Expand Supported Employment Program to assist individuals to secure competitive, integrated employments.
- Expand Adaptive Skills Training Program for individuals with high needs (behavioral or medical challenges)
- Expand Enrichment Programs to serve individuals with Self-Determination funding
- Establish Adaptive Supported Living Service for individuals with high needs.
- Develop a new Adult Day Program– FCSN will pursue a brand new vendorized Adult Day Program with Regional Center of East Bay and the license from the Community Care Licensing Adult Division.
- Outreach and Empower families to promote equity and access essential resources and services for their loved ones
- Serve as a Community Center to raise ability awareness, promote integration, and build a positive relationship between general and special needs communities.
FCSN Board Chair Jim Chiao adds to their Expand Our Dream plan, saying
FCSN is building another Dream Center in Fremont. FCSN is a non-profit organization based in the Bay Area. Found in 1996 by 10 Chinese American families, its mission is to help children and adults with special needs and their families. In 2006, FCSN completed its initial Dream Project and built its Dream Center in Fremont. In 2017, FCSN built its 2nd center in San Jose. Today, FCSN has over 1000 family members and 120 staff, and serves over 500 adults and children with special needs.
According to CDC, in 2000, there was one autism baby per 150 newborns. However, by 2018, that number had increased to one per 44 newborns. The need for service for special needs individuals has been growing at an increasing pace. For the last 10 years, periodically, FCSN board has been looking for a property to expand our facility.
LET’S ALL SUPPORT THIS GOOD CAUSE FOR THOSE COMMUNITY CHILDREN TOO OFTEN OVERLOOKED AND IGNORED, ESPECIALLY BY ASIAN AMERICAN FAMILIES IN THE PAST. COME JOIN ME ON NOVEMBER 5 AT THE FRIENDS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EXPAND OUR DREAM FUNDRAISING EVENT ! Or if unable to join me that evening, give us your support with your end-of-year charitable donation. Former TV reporter Matt Keller and I will be leading a Fund a Need drive on November 5 and hope we can bring in much needed donations to help this worthwhile cause, either there or via email pledge. How about you? Everything small or large is welcome and most welcome by yours
