Shopping for a Cause: B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Support the Harvest Drive
Giving back while learning important life skills, that’s what our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students experienced during their recent trip to Publix to support their local Harvest Drive! Students worked in groups to find five items each to complete a Harvest Drive Box, using...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Give Back to the Community
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently volunteered with Hope at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church to help prepare gift bags for the upcoming Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch event! Students worked together to fill each bag with care, practicing teamwork, responsibility,...
A Night of Connection, Learning, and Support for HDS Families
Thank you to everyone who joined us for HDS Foundation: Parent Connect, Learn & Support Night! A special shoutout to all the parents of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students who attended and to Nathalie Stanish, M.S., Manager of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation &...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October, HDS Foundation honors those who have bravely fought breast cancer, remembers the loved ones we have lost, and stands with the survivors whose strength inspires us all. We recognize the importance of awareness, early detection, and support for...
October marks the 80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
HDS Foundation proudly celebrates the many skills, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce. We honor this milestone by continuing to support inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment in our communities.
Kate Gilson Miranda: A Voice for Advocacy
We are so proud of Kate Gilson Miranda, HDS Foundation Director, for attending the Miami-Dade Commission Meeting last night! As one of Best Buddies Florida State Ambassadors, Kate spoke passionately about the importance of protecting funding for the Best Buddies...
HDS Foundation Champions Inclusion with Camp Boxes for Every Camper
We are proud to once again sponsor The Friendship Journey, Camp Wings of Friendship custom camp boxes for every camper! This virtual summer camp brings together teens and adults with disabilities for a week filled with connection, creativity, and fun, and we’re...
Broward Sheriff’s Office Family Autism Day
The HDS Foundation was proud to be part of the Broward Sheriff's Office Family Autism Day held today at Cypress Bay High School. We had the pleasure of connecting with families in our community and sharing valuable resources and programs designed to empower...
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...
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...
An Unforgettable Night of Inclusion & Hockey
Special thanks to The Friendship Journey & Samantha Novick, for inviting us to Autism Acceptance Night with the Florida Panthers! It was an unforgettable evening filled with hockey, community, and inclusion. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to be part...
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...
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...
Florida DCDT Visions Conference 2025
We are happy to be a Gold Sponsor to help support the great work the Florida DCDT Vision Conference 2025 shares with all the participants who attend!
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...