Welcome!

Picnic BuddiesFamilies 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...

Introducing Our New Co-Chairs

 

Hi FCC-SoCal Families!

Maureen HemlerSarah KoffWe are the new Co-Chairs of Families with Children from China in Los Angeles.  We’ve been in office since February 1, 2010 and have only had the opportunity to meet a small section of the membership.  If you see us around please come up and say hello, we would love to meet you and your family!

Please click through to the full post to read a little about us.

We are both incredibly excited about the new opportunities on the horizon for FCC-SoCal.  There are great member events in the works for young kids, teens and parents.  We welcome your suggestions and invite ALL members to take an active role in the success of FCC.

Looking forward to meeting all of you at upcoming events!

-Sarah and Maureen

Continue to full post

Upcoming Events

PACT Family Gathering in the Park
Orange County
Courtesy Post
Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 11:30am - 3:00pm
Arroyo Park - Yorba Linda

PACT logoGet more involved with Pact and other adoptive families like yours. Pact parents have formed a peer support & play group of parents with common interests and adopted children of color. It's a great time to connect and enjoy some family time in the park.

There's lots of room to roam at this family-friendly location! Bring your own picnic, blanket and park toys (frisbees, sand toys, bubbles, balls, card games, etc).

For questions and to RSVP in advance please contact Barry Ross, volunteer coordinator for this event:
brosstwin@roadrunner.com or call at 714-336-1571

Find out more...
How to Build Your Own Personal Adoptive Community
Greater Los Angeles
SoCal Friends
Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services - West LA

Vista Del Mar Logo-- From the Vista Del Mar announcement --

Our objective is to help you create your personal Adoptive Family Social & Support and Play Groups.  We will help families to connect with one another based on the ages of their children as well as by location and interests.

Experienced Adoption/Play Group Coordinators & Facilitators (including Jeri Floyd and Susan Robinson) will provide insight into the benefits of Adoption Friendship groups, give instruction on how to get started, offer suggestions for activities and programs, answer questions, and share informational hand-outs.

RSVP to Elizabeth at earkin@vistadelmar.org or 310-836-1223, ext. 482.

Find out more...
Orange County's 13th Annual Moon Festival Banquet
Orange County
FCC-SoCal
Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 4:30pm - 7:00pm
Ten Ten Seafood Restaurant - Artesia

Harvest Moon Festival foodIn China and throughout many Asian countries people celebrate the Harvest Moon on the 15th day of the eighth month of their lunar calendar.  This year, the Mid-Autumn festival falls on Wednesday, September 22, 2010 - but that's a school night!  So please join your FCC-SoCal family in a weekend celebration of togetherness on Sunday, September 26, 4:30-7:00 pm at the Ten Ten Seafood Restaurant in Artesia.   The festivities will include games and prizes for the kids and teens, traditional Chinese entertainment and great food, including mooncakes.

Click here for registration form.

Find out more...
Join Us for a Teen & Parent Potluck Picnic!
Greater Los Angeles
SoCal Friends
Saturday, October 2, 2010 - 11:00am - 1:00pm
Hancock Park (Meet at LACMA Entrance) - Mid-Wilshire, LA

Sarah and PriscillaFCC teens...come join our new FCC-SoCal leaders Sarah Koff and Priscilla Hefley for an informal teen (& parent) potluck picnic. Sarah and Priscilla are two adult China adoptees interested in forming a leadership group for teenage adoptees and their parents. The goal is to build a supportive community of teen adoptees; one in which teens have the opportunity to form friendships, share experiences, stay connected with one other, and have fun.

We'll be meeting once a month or so. Our first get-together will be at the park adjacent to LACMA. Click through to the full post for all the juicy details.

Find out more...
China Book & Story Group
Orange County
FCC-SoCal
Saturday, October 16, 2010 - 4:00pm - 7:00pm
The Duck Club - Irvine

This new dual event will be a good opportunity to get to know other FCC-SoCal parents without worrying about child care.

In the first event, Ms. Shawna Lai, instructor at South Coast Chinese Cultural Center, will entertain her audience with a class on Chinese folktales and music.  Parents may enjoy the class with their children, or socialize in the adjoining room.

In the second event, adults will discuss the book Factory Girls: from Village to City in a Changing China by Leslie T. Chang.  Sitters will be available to look after the kids and lead a craft in the adjoining room for the nominal fee of $5/child.

Click through to the full post for details and a link to RSVP. Come for either event or both!  Admission is free.

Find out more...
Add to calendar

Latest News & Info

Perfect Beach Day at Crystal Cove
Orange County
SoCal Friends

Beach playSunday August 22 was a picture perfect summer day, much to the delight of the FCC families and friends gathered at Crystal Cove State Beach.  Around 20 families, or 60 individuals, turned out for the event, which was expertly organized and executed by Sandy Draper and husband Joel Warner (who lugged a ton of stuff down the steep path).  Many thanks to both!

Our group congregated around an extra large shade canopy sheltering cold drinks and a variety of snacks, even watermelon!  Each family brought their own lunch and beach gear.  There was no shortage of sand toys, and a few of the older kids braved the chilly ocean water on boogie boards.  Some folks took a short walk to check out the tide pools.  All the girls (and even a few boys) had hours of endless play in the sand and the waves, and all the parents enjoyed visiting.  A wonderful time was had by all!

Check out our gallery of Beach Day photos. Our thanks to Ann Marie Rousseau and Patty Uy for contributing the photos.

08/27/2010 - 2:01pm
Read more...
The Blazing Paddles Team Does It Again!
All Regions
SoCal Friends

Race to the finishGenevieve Davenport writes:
Our team, Blazing Paddles had a great Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival this year! Our mixed team did wonderfully. We showed our team spirit and persevered to the end. We ended up placing second in the final race in our division on Sunday. We placed fourth in our second race on Saturday. Our women’s team (mostly moms and daughters) looked great and had three great races.

This year our team really understood that technique was more important than speed in every stroke that we paddled. Everyone worked as a unit which made the boat surge forward.

Read full post and visit the gallery.

08/18/2010 - 12:51am
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Fun With Friends at the 2010 FCC-SoCal Summer Picnic
All Regions
FCC-SoCal

Friends at the summer picnicThis year's FCC-SoCal/OCA summer picnic on June 5th rejoined old and new friends alike at an unique park in the city of San Gabriel, in western San Gabriel Valley. We picnicked directly adjacent to Dinosaur Park, an artistic treasure nestled in the quiet corner of Victor Lugo Park. The event was well attended by over fifteen families, and offered opportunities for enjoying delicious food (Hawaiian theme!) and warm conversation. Many members met the new FCC board members for the first time.
 
Read full post and visit the gallery.

07/04/2010 - 11:28am
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OC Kids Learn About Self Defense
Orange County
SoCal Friends

Self defense thumbnailThe family self defense workshop held Saturday May 15 was a great success!  About twenty kids with one or two parents per family turned out for the session. The age range of the kids was from three and a half to ten, with the majority five to seven years old.

Instructor and FCC Mom Laura Hesser did an excellent job. She made it fun for the kids all the while they were learning important information and skills.  Laura's set-up was perfect with the parents sitting in the background and the kids sitting up front around her, which resulted in the session being interactive for the kids, both discussion-wise and physically.  Laura was able to tailor the session to the age range that attended so there was high participation and the kids seemed to get the messages.  The session was relevant and a fun opportunity for the families to get to know each other better.  All in all a wonderful event!

05/25/2010 - 4:17pm
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Summer Reading
All Regions
FCC-SoCal

Factory Girls Book CoverAdd Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China by Leslie T. Chang to your summer reading list, and get ready for FCC-SoCal's book discussion event in October!

Factory Girls demonstrates how the mass movement from rural villages to cities is remaking individual lives and transforming Chinese society, much as immigration to America’s shores remade our own country a century ago."

FCC-SoCal will host a discussion of Factory Girls on Saturday, October 16 in Irvine. A concurrent storytelling event will be held for kids in an adjoining room.  Location, exact times and more details will be posted closer to the date. Mark your calendars now - you won't want to miss this new FCC activity!

05/03/2010 - 5:14pm
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Of Interest

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

Don't Miss POV's Adoption Stories

Later this month, POV will feature three films about adoption — Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy by Stephanie Wang-Breal; Off and Running by Nicole Opper; and In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee by Deann Borshay Liem — and launch a national public awareness campaign to examine issues facing adoptees and families who choose to adopt.

The films air on PBS at the following times (please confirm by checking local listings in your area):

Click through to full post to watch the trailer

Mandarin Immersion Program on the Westside - Now Enrolling

Broadway Elementary School (K-6) in Venice will launch a Mandarin Immersion Program this Fall 2010 with two kindergarten classes. The program is designed for students to achieve academic proficiency in both English and Mandarin, becoming bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate.

Find out more.

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