Tianxiang, a kind-hearted 13-yearold with cerebral palsy, struggled to access the vital therapy and education he needed...
04. From California to Changsha: Cultural Connection Leads to Partnership
Helen Peng, the Chair of the Southern California Hunan Association, shares how a casual conversation sparked the connection with ICC....
06. Spring Appeal Update
Thank you for your generous donations to our Spring Appeal!
07. Xinhe: Building a Future
Xinhe’s mother was worried about her son’s future. Now, she’s at peace knowing he has a job he loves....
08. Welcoming Min and Yuyin
In December, we welcomed two new young adults into our Forest family...
CEO MESSAGE
Hope You Can See, Change You Help Create
Welcome to Stories of Hope! Every issue of this newsletter is a window into what you make possible.
You’ll read about children and their families that once lived lives of hopelessness, and how they have now found hope through ICC’s Outreach Teams. You'll see young lives once filled with isolation now growing in confidence and connection. These aren’t just stories—they’re transformations. And they are only possible because of you.
Your faithful support is not only meeting urgent needs—it’s building futures. It’s creating safe spaces where children with disabilities, such as Xinhe, Yuyin, Min and Tianxiang, are known, valued, and loved. And as you read these stories, I hope you see not just what we’ve done, but also where we are going.
Standing behind these moments of joy and restoration is something unseen by you but quite vital - a clear plan to reach out and help even more children! This year we’re launching a new 5-Year Strategic Plan—a roadmap to help us reach thousands more children, strengthen our teams, grow our support from generous people such as you, and streamline our systems. We do all this to ensure that we can serve in China for decades to come, continuing to transform lives, and leading the way for children with disabilities into a brighter future.
This 5 year plan is the scaffolding behind the stories. It is the infrastructure that helps bring transformation. It ensures that what we build together is not only beautiful, but lasting.
Thank you for making this work possible. Thank you for being part of each story of hope. And thank you for helping us step boldly into a future full of promise.
With heartfelt gratitude,
David Gotts, Chief Executive Officer
Seeds of Joy: Home visits and support
bring a brighter future
Tianxiang, a kind-hearted 13-yearold with cerebral palsy, struggled to access the vital therapy and education he needed — until your generosity made a difference.
Late last year, our Outreach Team #3 traveled to the rural Wangcheng District to meet Tianxiang, who is lovingly cared for by his grandparents. Since then, our team has been providing home-based therapy and social work support.
Because of your compassion, Tianxiang and his grandparents know they are not alone. Now, he eagerly waits by the door for each visit. As Social Worker Liu shared, “the moment our vehicle entered the yard, Tianxiang’s joy was palpable.”
Thanks to you, our team provided Tianxiang with a bathing chair that makes daily care easier. After our Therapy Manager Alison Kennedy demonstrated how to use it, his grandmother exclaimed, “This is wonderful! Bathing will be so much easier now!” Alison also replaced the straps on his wheelchair and modified the footrest for better support — all possible because of your kindness.
Our Special Education Teacher has introduced sensory stories that delight Tianxiang. He laughs and reaches out to interact with the materials. These activities help build neural pathways and support educational learning. Sensory learning also strengthens motor skills, enhances language development, and critical thinking skills.
In rural areas, children with disabilities often face steep barriers to therapy and education. But thanks to your support, those barriers are being cleared—one joyful home visit at a time. Together, we’re sowing seeds of joy and hope for Tianxiang’s future. Thank you! i
FEATURE STORY
From California to Changsha: Cultural Connection Leads to Partnership
Helen Peng, the Chair of the Southern California Hunan Association (SCHA), recently shared with AFICC staff about how SCHA became involved with ICC. From a casual chat to a deeper connection, learn how SCHA is partnering to support children with disabilities in Hunan province.
When Helen Peng, the former Executive Director of the Southern California Hunan Association (SCHA), first heard about International China Concern (ICC), it was through a simple, chance conversation. In 2021, a member of ICC’s community struck up a conversation at a local Hunanese restaurant in Southern California - one owned by SCHA’s then vice- president. That casual introduction turned into something deeper.
“There’s something about hearing the word ‘Hunan’ - for us Hunanese, it instantly sparks attention and emotional connection,” Helen explains. “I was even more thrilled when I learned that ICC had previously run a Care Center in my hometown - Hengyang, and continues to have ties to the area through expanding support services.” That sense of kinship opened the door for SCHA to learn more about ICC’s work in the province.
At the time, SCHA had been supporting another charitable organization focused on educational scholarships for low-income children in China. But due to pandemic-related restrictions, those efforts were delayed. “That’s when we thought - why not learn more about ICC?” Helen recalls.
Soon after, she and two fellow board members sat down with AFICC’s National Director and CEO to learn more. “What stood out,” Helen shares, “was how ICC had been in Hunan for decades, yet had little contact with the Hunanese population here in the U.S. That struck a chord with us.”
It wasn’t long before the relationship deepened. When ICC held its first-ever Gala in the U.S., SCHA organized members to attend. “Many of our board members were deeply moved. That was the beginning.”
A Visit That Changed Perspectives
Helen later traveled to Changsha to visit ICC’s projects. Though she had previously conducted home visits in Hunan for other nonprofit work, she hadn’t encountered anything quite like ICC’s approach.
“I had assumed the facilities might be quite basic, just focused on meeting practical needs,” she says. “But at ICC, I saw something more: deep care for children’s emotional and mental wellbeing. That really surprised and moved me.”
She describes the children she met as joyful, responsive, and engaged. “They didn’t seem like the shy or closed-off children I had met before in my other charity work. Many of those kids, even teenagers, were too timid to speak. But the children at ICC stood out. They could chat with you, respond with warmth. Their spirits were strong.”
One young man, who is blind, impacted Helen. She noted how he independently navigated the Lighthouse Center confidently and sang with heartfelt emotion. “He greeted everyone so naturally. It was amazing to see how free and joyful he seemed.”
Another girl, in a wheelchair, impressed Helen with her dexterity and confidence. “Her hands were so quick as she worked on crafts. Later, I saw her walking outside with a friend and buying a snack - just enjoying life. That’s what ICC has created: a place where young people with disabilities can truly thrive.”
From One Good Deed to Ongoing Partnership
Helen is quick to emphasize that while it’s easy to donate once and not consider the impact, what ICC does - consistent, compassionate, long-term care - is deserving of partnership and support.
“From what I saw, ICC is doing a wonderful job. You can really see the heart and effort behind the work. And that’s not something you find every day.”
Reflecting on SCHA’s values and her personal beliefs, Helen shared: “It’s not hard to do one good deed. But to do it well, and to keep doing it over time in a way that touches people - that’s rare. ICC carries that spirit.”
A Call to Action: Connecting Communities, Changing Lives
When asked whether she would continue to support and introduce ICC to others in her community, Helen didn’t hesitate. “Of course. Definitely.”
Her encouragement to others is simple but powerful: “There are so many people in our networks - fellow Hunanese, friends, community leaders - who would be touched by this work if they only knew about it. I hope more of us can bridge that gap and share about ICC’s work.”
SCHA’s story reminds us that powerful change often begins with a small conversation. Cultural connection can be the spark - but it’s the willingness to work and act together, that creates true impact.i
"There
are so many people in our networks - fellow Hunanese, friends, community leaders - who would be touched by this work if they only knew about it."
AFICC
Hope and Healing: New Partnership with the Hunan Provincial
Children’s Hospital
In Spring 2025, we shared with you about the exciting new launch of the ICC partnership with the Hunan Provincial Children’s Hospital. They approached ICC knowing that we have helped families in the past with urgent medical expenses. Part of ICC’s mission is to help keep families together and prevent abandonment so that children do not end up in government care separated from their families.
Too often, the high cost of medical care forces families to make the unimaginable decision to abandon their child in the hope that they might receive the treatment they need. The new ICC - Hunan Provincial Children’s Hospital partnership is providing a safety net to vulnerable families and children.
Thanks to many generous donors, the campaign goal was met! These funds will help many children in dire need of surgery or therapy to improve the quality of their lives. Here are two families who recently benefited from the hospital partnership.
Yuxiang was born with a cleft lip and palate. By the age of 10, he still hadn’t received corrective surgery - and he likely never would - because of his family’s poverty. He was facing a lifetime of declining health due to lack of treatment and being outcast due to societal stigmas. The hospital alerted us to
this family’s need, and we helped fund his surgery. Today, Yuxiang is fully recovered, growing and thriving.
Last month, we were able to support two-year-old Chenchen—one of a set of triplets—through surgery for craniosynostosis, a disorder where the joints in the skull fuse prematurely before the brain is fully formed. Left untreated, this condition can cause a permanently misshapen head. Typically, this surgery is performed when a child is under a year old, but in Chenchen’s case, his family could not afford it. His father is the sole breadwinner, and his work on construction sites is unstable, making the cost of surgery out of reach for the family of five.
Thanks to your donations and our new hospital partnership, Chenchen’s surgery was a success! The joy and love this family has for one another was deeply evident in the hospital room.
Photos from left to right: Yuxiang before surgery, postsurgery, and after surgery healed
ICC’s priority and singular focus is helping children with disabilities live full and meaningful lives in families and communities that treasure them. You make it possible for families to seek treatment for their child, bringing hope and healing! i
Building a Future: Transitioning from Special Education to
the Workforce
Xinhe’s mother was worried about her son’s future. Now, she’s at peace knowing he has a job he loves. Read how your gifts helped to transform Xinhe’s life.
When Xinhe, affectionately known as Xinxin, graduated from his special education school in 2024, his mother was anxious about his future. Her son had limited opportunities, and she was unsure of where to turn. Then, our ICC Pathways Vocational Training Career Counselor reached out. She found a job opportunity for Xinxin, and offered to provide interview coaching and support.
After successfully completing an interview for a cleaning position in a hospital, Xinxin was offered a trial shift. His mother was overjoyed. Xinxin went to his shift accompanied by his mother and our career counselor. Xinxin tried his very best, but unfortunately was not offered a permanent position. Our Pathways Manager, Su Liping, reassured him and his mother. “With Xinxin’s effort and your support, I believe his employment dreams will come true. Our team will continue to help him find the right position.”
Shortly after, our Career Counselor brought news of another job interview for a warehouse position at a retail company. The company was understanding of
Xinxin’s situation and arranged for him to work only four hours each day, offering transportation allowances, social insurance, and a monthly income above the minimum wage in Changsha.
“What struck us most during our work with Xinxin was his focus—it reflected both a passion for life and a strong desire to grow,” shared Su Liping. Xinxin’s mother supported his development by helping him practice work tasks at home, reinforcing what he was learning. As his skills improved, so did his confidence. To build on this progress, our staff introduced him to computer training during downtime. He quickly picked up new abilities and can now type and create basic spreadsheets—an exciting step forward in his skill development and future opportunities.
When you give to ICC, you are supporting young people with disabilities who are transitioning into adulthood and entering the workforce. Your gifts are providing tangible services that help skill development, job procurement and advocacy for disability employment. Together, we can help young people build a future and find their purpose! i
New Year, New Hope: Welcoming Min and Yuyin
On December 30th, 2024, we welcomed two new young adults into our Forest family. Min is a 31-year-old man with Down syndrome, and Yuyin is a 19-yearold girl with cerebral palsy. They were transferred into our care from a government welfare center.
A new environment and major move can be unsettling, so at first they were both scared and unsure in their new home. The staff and young people welcomed them warmly, and they soon relaxed and happily explored their new home.
For years, Yuyin and Min had no access to therapy or vocational training. Because of your partnership, ICC is able to provide this crucial support to every young person in our care.
After settling in, they soon joined our Pathways Vocational Training Program. They are both learning how to make beautiful beaded crafts. Min, who is quiet and
calm, has also taken an interest in martial arts. Yuyin, who is cheerful and talkative, is taking classes in computer skills and calligraphy.
Yuyin and Min are now thriving in ICC’s care. They get along well with their peers and have new self-care skills. They have goals they want to achieve, and friends and caregivers who care for them. On April 3rd, a cake was delivered to celebrate Yuyin’s birthday. Everyone gathered around to sing her happy birthday. She blew out her birthday candles surrounded by love, hope and opportunity.
Your donations have a lasting impact on young adults like Yuyin and Min, helping to change the trajectory of their lives and bringing them new hope. i
