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New Year PalsFamilies with Children from China-Southern California (FCC-SoCal) is an all-volunteer organization that provides educational, cultural and peer support programs and services for adoptive parents, children and youth, and those in the process of adopting. Membership includes more than 500 families residing in Southern California and beyond.

FCC-SoCal remains dedicated to improving the welfare of the children in China’s social welfare institutions and supporting the community through charitable initiatives. Together, families cultivate friendships, explore culture and adoption, and build community bridges.

Click here for detailed contact information.

Dear Members...

New Board Announcements

I am very happy to share that our chapter moves forward with a strong and positive future ahead. I proudly announce the 2010 Board of Directors for FCC-SoCal. They are:

  • Co-Presidents:  Maureen Hemler and Sarah Koff
  • Secretary: Alice Goldstone
  • Treasurer:  Jeroen van  Meijgaard
  • Director of Charitable Initiatives: Judy Perlstein
  • Co-directors of Communications:  Ben and Marcia Luce
  • Director of Member Resources: Amy van Haam
  • Director of Membership:  Ruth Peters
  • Director of Outreach: Susan Robinson
  • Director of Parent Education:  John Drimmer
  • Orange County Regional Group Representatives: Ann Marie Rousseau & Teri Sforza
  • Board at Large:   Judy  Marasco, Albert Olson, Priscilla Hefley

 
The board is composed of a diverse group.  Some are long time Board Members with much experience, while others are new Board Members who bring new light to FCC.  All are eager to represent FCC-SoCal in the year 2010.  The board looks forward to introducing you to our new board members.

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Challenges and Opportunities

It is an interesting time for all chapters of FCC as new adoptions slow dramatically and the children adopted during the very active years of China adoptions begin to reach teenage and young adult years. Locally, we are also undergoing transitions such as changes in leadership. These broad international and local issues combine to create challenges, of course, but they also create opportunities.  Should FCC continue emphasizing former priorities? Or as our demographics change regarding the age of children in our network, are there different priorities that may be more relevant? What should FCC's role be in hosting speakers and experts on adoption issues especially relating to transracial adoptions? How should we best use our limited financial resources? These are the questions we are debating.

We invite you to join the board and add your voice. We need you. Contact any of the board members using the contact page with your ideas and interest. There will be a February General Meeting, Update and Continuing Dialogue. Details will be posted soon. Please plan to attend.

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New Research of Note

As interested and involved parents, we are always curious about research on the transracial adoption experience.  A recent study by the Evan B. Donaldson Institute examines transracial adoptee identity.  The study is quite long, but the "principal recommendations" and the "summary" are quite easy to read.
Click here for the study. Or to read the press release, click here.

This study on the adoptee experience provides us with opportunities to be proactive parents, doing our part to make the transracial family experience better for our children today and tomorrow.

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Upcoming Events

SoCal PACT Family Picnic in the Park
Greater Los Angeles
Courtesy Post
Sunday, March 14, 2010 - 12:30pm - 3:30pm
Cheviot Hills Park - West L.A.

SoCal PACT families would like to extend an invitation to FCC families for a family picnic. SoCal PACT is a social network for adoptive families with children of color. Bring your own picnic, blanket and park toys (frisbees, sand toys, bubbles, balls, card games, etc). All ages welcome.

Find out more...
Lecture - Nature Vs. Nurture with Dr. Nancy Segal
Orange County
FCC-SoCal
Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
The Duck Club - on the grounds of Irvine Ranch Water District, Irvine - time tentative

Posted time for event is tentative - please check back soon for more details!

Did you ever wonder what your child would have been like if reared by someone other than yourself? Dr. Nancy Segal has studied twins adopted from China, who were reared together and others who were reared by different families. Did you ever wonder why the majority of twins adopted from China are identical. Is it possible that there are many more fraternal twins that were separated because they did not look alike? Come and hear Nancy discuss her discoveries.

Find out more...
Jane Brown Playshops
Greater Los Angeles
Courtesy Post
Friday, April 30, 2010 - 6:00pm - Sunday, May 2, 2010 - 2:00pm
Vista Del Mar - Los Angeles

Once again we are very proud to be coordinating the Jane Brown Seminar and Playshops.  April 30 2010 will kick off the 10th year that Jane visits the Los Angeles area and many of you have been participants numerous times.  The Seminar and Playshop Weekend is being sponsored and hosted by Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.  Read the full post for a summary of the weekend, and a flyer with complete details and registration information.

Find out more...
Speaking Engagement with Sherrie Eldridge
Greater Los Angeles
Courtesy Post
Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 9:00am - 4:00pm
Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services - West L.A.

Vista Del Mar presents a speaking engagement with Sherrie Eldridge, author of the newly released book - 20 Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed. Sherrie is the Founder and President of Jewel Among Jewels Adoption Network, Inc. (non-profit). She is the author of 6 books and 5 workbooks. She will speak from her own experience as an adoptee and an expert in the field of adoption and will share proven strategies and the moving narratives of adoptive families, to help parents gain a deeper understanding of what is normal, both for their children and themselves.

Find out more...
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Latest News & Info

Campout Fun on Catalina Island
Greater Los Angeles
SoCal Friends

Fierce kids on CatalinaThe Catalina Island "Dark of the Moon" Weekend was great fun for the three families who participated - 3 little girls, 2 big brothers, their happy parents and one doting aunt.
 
Activities included a birthday celebration, volleyball, card games, endless relaxed conversations sitting on benches at Isthmus Harbor, walking all over the isthmus, and yes, stargazing on a very clear night.

It was an absolutely perfect and relaxing weekend - one that will be repeated next year along with, we hope, FCC Moon Festival mountain camping.

12/12/2009 - 9:11am
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Orange County Region's 2009 Holiday Party Rocks!
Orange County
FCC-SoCal

Holiday sing-alongJingle bells were swinging and jingle bells were ringing at the annual FCC Orange County Holiday Party!  It wasn’t snowin’ in Mission Viejo, but the event was blowin’ up bushels of fun for more than 30 families attending the December 6 event.

The jingle hop had begun with a dance soundtrack playing throughout most of the party.  The kids who weren’t dancing were making projects and new friends at the crafts table.   Families generously piled a mountain of donated gifts in one corner of the spacious room for the Orangewood Foundation, benefiting OC children and teens in foster care.

Check out our gallery of photos.

12/07/2009 - 4:30pm
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Chinese New Year Banquets - Save the Dates!
All Regions
FCC-SoCal

BAnquet palsUPDATE: Event info now posted here (1st banquet) and here (2nd banquet).

 Planning for Chinese New Year festivities is underway and we are hard at work to ensure that the ever-popular FCC-SoCal Chinese New Year tradition continues to be a favorite for all!

We are holding twin banquets on the first and last Saturdays in February – the 6th and the 27th.  Registration materials will be emailed out by the first of the year.  Chinese New Year falls on February 14th and the Golden Dragon Parade will be on February 20th.

12/02/2009 - 11:05pm
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WeiWei and the Girls
Greater Los Angeles
SoCal Friends

Turkey gobblersOn Saturday, November 14, 2009 at Beeman Park in Studio City the SoCal Friends - Chinese the Fun Way group met to do crafts and learn Chinese with WeiWei. Luckily, they didn’t get blown away with all the wind! The children had fun making turkey headresses and Thanksgiving cards. They also learned how to say and give thanks in Chinese. Pumpkin pie was among the assortment of treats!

The group meets monthly with a different theme. The next event will be Christmas in Chinatown on Saturday, December 12. Event details will be posted shortly. Other upcoming events will include Chinese New Year and Huntington Gardens.

Contact Arlene Balkin at arlene@levyaffiliated.com for more information. And look for information of upcoming events here on this website. Come join WeiWei and friends to learn Chinese the fun way.

11/23/2009 - 6:05pm
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Brush Painting and Oil Pastels at the Art-Making Workshop
Orange County
FCC-SoCal

The little artists who attended the FCC November Art Making Workshop in Irvine on November 1, created beautiful drawings of Chinese lanterns, mandalas, dragons and butterflies. Artist, Melanie Vogel, introduced them to Chinese brush painting and oil pastels.

The best part, though, was seeing the pride on all of their faces as they viewed their masterpeice. And of course the parents didn't mind chatting while the kids were having their class.

11/06/2009 - 4:44pm
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Of Interest

Note: The following are courtesy posts. No endorsement by FCC-SoCal is intended or implied.

Vista Del Mar Sponsors a Post Adoption Support Group

Vista Del Mar’s post adoption support group, facilitated by Lesli Johnson, MFT, is a non-threatening place where families can talk about the joys and frustrations that come with being an adoptive parent. The support group is a network of parents who come together to share ideas, experiences and concerns related to their children.

Check the flyer for more info.
Smart Panda Presents Intro to Chinese Summer Camp

For kids ages 5-12 years. Mandarin is the focus. Fun for beginners and advanced beginners. One session in Pasadena (7/12-8/6)...the other in CHINA (8/10-8/21)! Both sessions led by AMY FU, academic director and all around FUN teacher.

Find out more about this amazing learning opportunity.
Do Colleges Redline Asian-Americans?

Interesting article about the dilemma facing our universities and the adverse impact it potentially poses for our children.

Read the article on Boston.com