Happenings & Stories
A Day at Flamingo Gardens!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fantastic day exploring Flamingo Gardens! They learned interesting facts about wildlife and nature, visited animal habitats, walked through beautiful gardens, and enjoyed a tram ride around the park. Students made great classroom...
Broward Sheriff’s Office Autism Family Day
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...
Painting, Creativity, and Inspiration
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...
Mindfulness in Motion!
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,...
Movie Day Fun & Real-World Skills in Action!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fantastic Friday outing at AMC Theater! Before the movie, students explored the menu, chose their own snacks, and practiced budgeting with a $20 limit—calculating totals to make sure they stayed on track. At the theater, they...
Best Buddies South Florida Walk
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...
Dan Marino Foundation Autism Acceptance Family Sunday
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of participating in the Dan Marino Foundation Autism Acceptance Family Sunday—a truly meaningful day dedicated to connection, inclusion, and support for our Autism community. The HDS Foundation, alongside many other nonprofits and...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students go to Jersey Mike’s!
This week, our students put real world skills into action with a lunchtime trip to Jersey Mikes! Before heading out, students planned their meals within a given budget, practiced decision making, and reviewed expectations for dining in the community. They enjoyed...
Autism Acceptance Month Celebration at Miami‑Dade B.R.I.D.G.E.S.
This week, the Miami‑Dade B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teachers hosted a morning filled with inclusion, learning, and fun as the entire student body came together to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month. The event highlighted the strength of community and the importance of acceptance...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Building Connections in the Community!
Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had an incredible experience at the David Posnak Jewish Community Center, where they learned about the GAP Program and spent time at Square Bowl—both designed to promote independence, inclusion, and real‑world skill building. The GAP...
2nd Annual Parent Night: Connect, Learn & Support
HDS Foundation hosted a successful 2nd Annual Parent Night at Outback, featuring guest speaker Nathalie Stanish, Manager at UM/NSU CARD- Center for Autism and Related Disorders. Parents from our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. classes received important information on post‑secondary...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Go to College!
Our students had an amazing day exploring Broward College, getting a firsthand look at college life, academic programs, and the supports available to students with disabilities. One of the highlights was a hands-on STEM session where students coded and programmed Lego...
World Autism Day
Today, on World Autism Day, we stand with the global community to promote acceptance and learn how we can better support the Autism community. This day encourages us to learn together and build communities that reflect understanding, inclusion and support. Let’s...
Autism Acceptance Month!
Autism Acceptance Month is a time to honor and embrace every individual’s unique journey. At HDS Foundation, we celebrate the strengths and talents of individuals with Autism and are committed to fostering opportunities that support independence and meaningful growth....
Celebrating our Students’ Accomplishments!
We’re kicking off the month with something special! HDS Foundation will be spotlighting our amazing B.R.I.D.G.E.S. & THRIVE students and the awesome accomplishments they’ve achieved this year! From big milestones to personal victories, these students shine bright...
A Recipe for Success: Learning at Flanigan’s
Students took a fun and educational trip to Flanigan's Restaurant. Before going to eat, students reviewed an adapted menu and completed a menu math activity. The final question on their worksheet asked them what they would like to order and to calculate their total....
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Navigate Success at Dolphin Mall
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students visited Dolphin Mall to practice real‑world independence skills! They used the mall directory to locate stores, planned routes with peers and navigated the mall using teamwork and problem‑solving. Students also practiced budgeting and...
A Special Thank You Video!
We are proud to share a special thank you video from the College of Education and Human Services at the University of North Florida (UNF) highlighting the HDS Foundation’s continued support of the UNF THRIVE program. [video width="1920" height="1080"...
Creativity, Teamwork, and Kindness in Action
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students proudly completed their Rock Snake Project—and what a journey it was! They kicked things off by planning for a Community Based Instruction trip to Dollar Tree, where students researched supplies, created a budget, and prepared for their...
A Delicious Lesson in Independence
Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the sweetest day at Yonutz Sunrise as they grabbed a yummy dessert to kick off Spring Break! Students explored many donut options, practiced taking their time to make choices, and then independently ordered and paid at the counter....
A Day of Discovery at the Weston Community Garden
What a great day for B.R.I.D.G.E.S. programs in Broward to come together! Students spent the morning exploring the Weston Community Garden, where they were warmly welcomed by Ms. Gina and Ms. V. Students learned about the different parts of the garden, including the...
Honoring Miami Culture on 305 Day
Students took a break from testing to celebrate Miami 305 Day in a fun and meaningful way. They began by watching a short video that explained the importance of the day and how people across the community celebrate Miami and its culture. They also discussed several...
Ordering, Budgeting, and Thriving Together
Last week, students headed to La Rural Mexican Grill for a fun and enriching Community Based Instruction experience! Before the trip, students reviewed the menu and selected their lunch choices—bowls, burritos, nachos, and more. They wrote down their orders ahead of...
Where Learning Meets the Great Outdoors
Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class visited Peace Mound Park for a digital scavenger hunt filled with teamwork and exploration. Students worked collaboratively to locate park landmarks, complete challenges, and capture photos along the way building communication, cooperation,...
Dream, Plan, Achieve: Goal Setting in Action
After wrapping up an engaging unit on goal setting and future planning, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class explored the difference between short‑term and long‑term goals and how they connect to students’ academic, career, and personal lives. Using Xello, a student‑centered...