HDS Board Member Honored as Best Buddies Florida State Ambassador
We are excited to share that HDS Foundation Board Member Kate Gilson Miranda has been named one of the Best Buddies Florida State Ambassadors for 2025–2027! Kate’s passion, dedication, and commitment to inclusion continue to inspire us all, and this honor is so...
A Day of Celebration, Unity, and Acceptance
Special thanks to the amazing HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teachers at our Miami-Dade High School for hosting such a fantastic event in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month! Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and their classmates enjoyed a day filled with sweet treats donated by...
Autism Acceptance in Action at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School
This week, teachers and staff participated in a special presentation in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School (HML). The event featured a fun and educational Kahoot quiz on Autism Acceptance, led by Yuri, a student and member...
Spotlight on Kate Gilson Miranda
Kate wears many hats, a sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, niece, granddaughter, team member, and role model but above all, she is a leader in empowerment and inclusion. As an HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. alumna, University of North Florida graduate, and HDS Foundation Board...
BRIDGES Students Take on the Best Buddies Walk!
Our BRIDGES students had an amazing time participating in a Best Buddies Walk at their school! They walked together to promote inclusion, spread awareness, and celebrate friendship. It was a fantastic day filled with energy, teamwork, and support for an important...
January is Mentoring Month!
Mentors play a vital role in shaping our future by offering guidance, encouragement, and support when we need it most. Whether it's helping us navigate a challenge, inspiring us to reach our goals, or just being there to listen, mentors make a lasting impact. This...
Florida Coalition Homelessness Conference Highlights! Day 3
Florida Coalition Homelessness Conference Highlights! Today, I had the privilege of attending two incredible sessions at the Florida Conference on Ending Homelessness, each filled with powerful insights and calls to action. The Criminalization of Homelessness This...
HDS Mentors Making a Difference
A huge thank you to our amazing HDS Companies team members, Bridget Wong, Ashley Walker, and Delisay Baldaji for inspiring our Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students during their Career Series! These incredible women shared their journeys from college to launching...
A Day of Friendship, Inclusion, and Inspiration
Kate Gilson, HDS Foundation Educator & Program Facilitator, and Board Member, recently took part in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk and what an unforgettable day it was! Following the walk, Kate was invited to an exclusive afternoon reception hosted by Best...
Best Buddies Friendship Walk
This past weekend, our Miami-Dade HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students joined the Best Buddies Friendship Walk. They celebrated inclusion, friendship, and community. The event was packed with family-friendly fun, from games and music to delicious food and sensory-friendly...
Celebrating Autism Acceptance with Miguel
I had an amazing conversation with Miguel about Autism Acceptance Month! We talked about what this month means to him personally and why shifting the focus from awareness to true acceptance is so important. His insights were so powerful because at the end of the day,...
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
This month, we celebrate the talents, strengths, and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities while promoting inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all. Whether it’s in school, the workplace, or the community, everyone deserves to...
A Night to Remember at the Friendship Journey Gala!
A Night to Remember at the Friendship Journey Gala! The HDS Foundation had an incredible evening celebrating friendship and community at the Friendship Journey Gala. We are beyond honored to have received the Community Champion Award, recognizing our dedication to...
Day 2 Highlights from the Florida Coalition Homelessness Conference
Day 2 Highlights from the Florida Coalition Homelessness Conference We started the day with a powerful plenary session, I’m Not Broken: Offering Hope to Solve Homelessness. Jesse Leon shared his inspirational journey of overcoming human trafficking and homelessness....
Making a Difference, One Student at a Time
We are proud to share the stories of these amazing teens & young adults during Autism Acceptance Month! Having a disability is not a limitation, it's part of the strength, perspective, and passion that fuels their journey. They’re pursuing their dreams, doing what...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Athletes Shine at Special Olympics
What an incredible day supporting our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they participated in the Special Olympics at their school. Our students gave it their all in the relay race, hurdles, and long jump and they absolutely crushed it! Their determination, spirit, and...
Meet Carter a 14-year-old entrepreneur on the Autism Spectrum who is turning his challenges into opportunities!
Carter founded Carter's Spectrum Golf, a brand that combines his love for golf with a powerful mission to raise awareness, inspire others, and embrace the beauty of being different. Now, he’s taking his journey even further with his new book, Swinging Beyond the...
April is Autism Awareness Month!
Join us as we celebrate neurodiversity, raise awareness, and advocate for inclusion and acceptance. This month, we’ll be sharing resources, personal stories, and ways you can support the autism community. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s spread understanding...
HDS BRIDGES Students Making a Difference!
Our HDS BRIDGES class in Broward County recently took part in two CBI shopping trips, turning a lesson in budgeting and community service into a heartfelt project for children in need. Five Below: Students were given a $4.00 budget to purchase crayons for the school...
POV: Ringing in the Holiday Season
What an incredible time we had at the Miami Lakes Festival of the Lights! From the dazzling lights to the festive music and holiday cheer, it was truly a magical night. A huge thank you to the Graham Company for organizing such an amazing event and bringing the...