Before ICC, Xuxi had no access to the therapy and education he desperately needed...
04. Roots of Strength: AFICC Gala Recap
On December 8th, supporters joined us for a night celebrating and reflecting on ICC’s “Roots of Strength”...
06. Linlin Update
Thank you for supporting Linlin and her family in your year-end donations!
07. Growing with Confidence and Compassion
Chunyu didn’t know what his future held. Now, he has a job that he loves...
08. Ruijin: Stepping Into Joy Ruijin, a joyful eight-year-old, has made remarkable progress since joining ICC's Enquan Yuan family...
CEO MESSAGE
If you’re anything like me then you sometimes feel that all we hear is ‘bad news’ from around the world. So, I’m delighted to share with you this edition of ICC’s Stories of Hope newsletter. In the midst of so much bad news, Stories of Hope shares the good news of how children’s lives are being impacted through your prayers and generosity.
Every day ICC’s amazing staff team come alongside children that face enormous challenges, and we have the privilege of walking with them and seeing their lives transformed through the physical therapy, special education, medical care and vocational training that ICC is known for. This is only possible because of you!
But when you drill down to what we are really bringing, it is the simple three things that have defined ICC since our very beginning - love, hope and opportunity. These are the three things that God placed in ICC’s DNA when we began, and they remain at the heart of all we do.
Through your generous support, we know that each and every child can thrive and have the opportunity to become the person they were intended to be.
Enjoy these stories and know that it is because of your partnership with us that lives are being transformed!
With thanks,
David Gotts, Chief Executive Officer
Xixi: Bright Days Ahead
Before ICC, Xuxi had no access to the therapy and education he desperately needed. Your gifts help make that dream a reality.
Xuxi is a lively and optimistic ten-year-old boy with Down syndrome. If you walk into the FPP Kaifu District Center, you’re likely to spot him strolling around, greeting everyone with a warm smile. He is primarily cared for by his grandparents and uncle. When our team first met this joyous boy in 2021, he had never received any rehabilitation therapy nor attended school.
Donations supporting ICC’s community outreach work has enabled Xuxi to receive the support he urgently needed.
When Xuxi enrolled in ICC’s support program, our Outreach Team #1 created a customised therapy and education plan for Xuxi. They encouraged his energetic personality by incorporating games into his therapy sessions. In special education, his teacher worked with him on following instructions through teaching him fun dance moves.
For the past three years, Xuxi has attended classes every week with his grandfather. Our staff share that they are “like family” to them. Xuxi has made remarkable progress, growing in independence and confidence. His vocabulary and comprehension have expanded, and his balance and muscle strength have improved.
Our team has also encouraged Xuxi’s parents to invest more time in understanding his rehabilitation needs. Now, they accompany Xuxi to a government-funded massage therapy program every week.
Xuxi’s future is looking brighter than ever, because of donors like you. Thank you! i
AFICC held our 3nd Annual “Stand for Children” Gala on Sunday, December 8th, 2024 at the Renaissance Hotel in Newport Beach, California. 160 supporters joined us for a night celebrating and reflecting on ICC’s “Roots of Strength: Nurturing Growth, Innovation and Love.”
Roots of Strength: AFICC Gala Recap
Special thanks to our guests and partners:
David Gotts - ICC Founder & CEO
American Chinese Athlete Association
FGC Children’s Foundation - Seth Yu and Ling Guan
Novartis Foundation
Southern California Hunan Association
WFG Champions, Ambassadors and Teams
ICC Founder & CEO David Gotts shared recent stories from ICC’s projects in China, illustrating the way lives are being transformed and the work that is still to be done.
Special guest and entertainment was provided by Keegan Ferrell - China adoptee and multiinstrumentalist & vocalist from The Voice. Casey Ferrell, Keegan’s brother and the Young Adult pastor at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, IN) served as our MC along with Elaine Wang. Keegan and Casey both shared about their journeys as adoptees, with Keegan debuting a new song he wrote Had It Not Been For Your Hand.
Other special guests providing entertainment included Joshua Zhang, Tang Arts & Performance Studio, Strings of Spring and Stream of Praise.
Thank you to all who gathered to celebrate ICC’s rich history of transforming lives, and gave genorously to support ICC’s work to bring love, hope and opportunity to children with disabilities in China! i
Our message is to accept and love someone, and adopt them into your life. It may not be a physical adoption, but it could be mentorship, discipleship or supporting the work of ICC who is building relationships with vulnerable children.
While Keegan and I have a happy story to share of being embraced by love, this isn’t the case for every child. We invite you to be part of the stories of ICC children and to be part of their life change.
It’s easy to come to an event, or see pictures and hear stories, but still feel like the work is at a distance. We are living proof of the difference love, compassion and care make in the lives of children in China. Even from afar, we can make a difference, and we invite you to be a part of it.
Scan the QR code to watch our highlights video!
Keegan
Casey
Thank You for Supporting Linlin
I
n our Christmas letter, we shared with you the story of a young girl named Linlin.
She lives in a rural region of Changsha and is primarily cared for by her elderly grandmother. Linlin did not have access to the vital therapy and educational resources she needed. Thanks to generous donors like you, ICC’s Outreach Team was able to bring these resources directly to her home.
Before ICC services, Linlin could only take a few steps. Now, she is able to walk independently for one minute! When she needs additional support, she is able to use the walker provided by ICC. The walker enhances her coordination, balance, and lower limb strength, aiding her goal of walking independently. The team has also arranged for a pair of corrective shoes for Linlin, which will also help with strengthening her walking.
Below, you can watch a video of Linlin walking independently around her living room. This incredible achievement was made possible because of compassionate donors like you. i
Your gifts gave Linlin the tools she needed to grow in skills. Thank you!
Other Ways to Get Involved!
Give the Gift of a Legacy: Legacy giving allows you to strategically support causes that matter to you while ensuring your long-term financial goals are met. Your legacy gift will provide the next generation of children with disabilities access to transformative care.
Company Matching: Many employers have a donation matching program that will double or triple the value of your donation! You can talk to your employer to see if this is set up, or visit Benevity.com to see how you can facilitate a matching program at your company.
Non-Cash Giving: You can donate assets such as appreciated stocks and funds to ICC! Here are a couple of organizations that can help you with complex asset giving:
• Charity Vest (charityvest.org)
• National Christian Foundation (ncfgiving.com)
To learn more about legacy giving, company matching, and donating non-cash assets, please contact us at usa@chinaconcern.org
CEO
Opportunity at Bach Bakery:
Business minded and passionate about making a difference? ICC’s Bach’s Bakery is a German-style bakery with a mission to empower individuals with disabilities. We are seeking a visionary CEO with a strong Christian faith and a passion for social enterprise. Located in vibrant Changsha City, China, you’ll oversee daily operations, drive strategic growth and represent our brand in the public sphere.
To learn more about, contact opportunities@chinaconcern.org
Growing with Confidence and Compassion
Chunyu didn’t know what his future held. Now, he has a job that he loves.
Chunyu is a gentle, hardworking young man with an intellectual disability. When he first joined our Pathways Vocational Training program, he was very nervous and shy. Our vocational teachers created a customized training program for him to match his learning style and pace. To help build his confidence, Chunyu joined the team at our Little Ark Food truck.
At first, he found it difficult to chat to customers. With encouragement and support, his confidence slowly grew. Over the next few months, Chunyu participated in charity craft sales and Summer camps. The opportunity to go onstage and perform with his friends at a music hall in Hunan brought another experience to build his confidence. From shy and withdrawn, we saw a confident young man emerging in Chunyu.
Chunyu’s journey did not stop there. Our team helped him with career planning, they took him to employment fairs and held mock interviews. After several interviews, Chunyu secured a trial position as a cleaner at Country Garden Phoenix Hotel Changsha! Our team continues to support him, providing career counselling and training.
In 2024, he officially became a permanent employee at the hotel. He now greets colleagues and supervisors with confidence and a smile.
When you support ICC’s work, you are helping young people like Chunyu grow in confidence, develop skills and find meaningful employment! i
Ruijin: Stepping Into Joy
Ruijin is a joyful eight-year-old with congenital heart disease, cerebral palsy and hemangioma. In April 2024, he moved from the government side of care into ICC’s Enquan Yuan family. Our therapist, Jinhua, shared that Ruijin was “thin and weak, with developmental delays.” Ruijin also struggled with emotional stability and was resistant to therapy. His high ankle muscle tone limited his range of motion, even during passive exercises.
After his initial assessment, our team provided him with a customized wheelchair for greater ease of movement. To build trust, the rehabilitation team focused on relationship-building for the first two months. Ruijin began using corrective shoes and standing frames to help him flatten his feet.
As Ruijin settled into life at Enquan Yuan, his emotions stabilized. He developed a trusting relationship with his therapists. We also saw his beautiful smile more and more! With consistent daily practice, he began to walk short distances independently!
“He has put in a lot of sweat and tears during this challenging process, and now he can walk independently for a distance. I believe he will walk even farther in the future,” Jinhua said joyfully. “There’s so much potential in him. Since he arrived, he has brought joy to everyone around him.”i
