A heartfelt thank you to Gaby Schwein-Johnson and the incredible team at Med Pro Health Care Staffing! Gaby, a former B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teacher, introduced the HDS Foundation's mission to her new workplace, and we are so grateful for her advocacy and support. We are...

Molly has qualified for the Special Olympics USA Team and will be traveling to Paris this summer! Since age 4, soccer has been a big part of Molly’s life. In 2025, she began playing with Special Olympics and found more than just a sport, she found her happy place....

The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class had a wonderful graduation party to celebrate everyone's accomplishments throughout this past year. Students participated in graduation themed activities including puzzles and word searches and had the opportunity to make end of year...

We are so proud to celebrate the graduates from our Miami-Dade and Broward County B.R.I.D.G.E.S. programs! Their dedication, perseverance, and hard work have brought them to this incredible milestone. As they take the next steps in their postsecondary journeys, we...

Some people are fortunate to find a career they are truly passionate about. From my beginnings as a public-school teacher to my role as Program Manager of the HDS Foundation, I have had the privilege of working with the most incredible and inspiring students with...

We were honored to welcome Carter Bonas to the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class! At just 15, Carter is already inspiring others through his journey of resilience, turning challenges into purpose through golf, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. ⛳ As the founder of Carter’s...

The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students “rolled” into an exciting and interactive Q&A experience with their principal, Mr. Souza. To prepare, students created thoughtful questions across different categories—like “get to know you,” school life, leadership, and advice for...

Last week, our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a meaningful hands-on learning experience! They learned all about what it takes to send a letter—including how to write a mailing address, return address, and add a stamp. Students addressed their own envelopes and wrote...

The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class had an unforgettable visit to the Broward Sheriff's Office in Weston! Students enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of the facility, including an up-close look at the jail cells. Students had the opportunity to meet and speak with several police...

To celebrate Earth Day, students enjoyed a meaningful and engaging outing to a local park, where they participated in a mindfulness-based yoga session led by a local yoga instructor and occupational therapist, The Mindful OT and Mindful Holistic Wellness. During the...

We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who took part in our Bowling for a Cause event! The day was filled with fun, laughter, inclusion, and great memories shared across the lanes. Seeing our HDS community come together-students, families, teachers, staff, friends, and...

Our Miami-Dade B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed an enriching field trip to Markham Park in Broward County, where they visited the Weston Community Garden. The students were warmly welcomed by the Community Garden Board Members Gina Reichenbach and Vianey Covarrubias,...

This exciting community event brought together families, educators, and local organizations for a day dedicated to connection, support, and celebration of individuals with Autism. The HDS Foundation, alongside several other nonprofit organizations, hosted resource...

Special thanks to Patricia Beltran, a talented local artist and proud parent of one of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students, who generously volunteered her time to lead a painting class for our students! Students gathered their supplies—paint, brushes, canvases, and aprons—and...

The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a peaceful afternoon at Weston Regional Park, participating in a guided yoga and mindfulness session surrounded by the trees. Through stretching, focused breathing, and grounding techniques, students practiced being present,...

Our Miami‑Dade B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students proudly participated in the Best Buddies Walk at Loan Depot Park! Walking alongside peers, families, and volunteers, they celebrated inclusion, friendship, and belonging while giving back to the community. We are so proud of...