Happenings & Stories
If You Don’t Know the Sender, It Might Be a Pretender!
Today the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class participated in a workshop hosted by Luke Wilson with Family Network on Disabilities. Since the pandemic, teens have spent an extraordinaire amount of time on their phones, computers, and tablets, either doing virtual school or...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Has a Fang-tastic Halloween!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S students let the ghoul times roll this past Friday evening celebrating Halloween as they dressed up in costumes and decorated their parent’s car with spiders, ghosts, and goblins. To add to the spooky fun, we also had balloons, candy, and music!...
Where There’s a Whisk, There’s a Way!
The HDS Foundation B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program is always keeping things fun and exciting when it comes to our Community Based Instruction (CBI) activities. Now that we have been virtual, it’s important to keep our mission alive guiding the students to independent living...
Homestead Parent Meeting Was a SUCCESS!
Last night, the HDS Foundation hosted a successful Parent Meeting with our Homestead Senior High School BRIDGES (Self-Determination Class). We were happy to have the opportunity to meet the parents and share the programs and resources the foundation has to offer. The...
We Look Forward to Tonight’s Homestead Senior High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parent Meeting!
The HDS Foundation is very excited to host our Homestead Senior High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parent Meeting, this evening at 7:30 PM. Parents will have an opportunity to learn about the programs and services that the foundation promotes for teens and young adults who...
University of North Florida THRIVE Program Director Receives Prestigious Award
A very special congratulations to Dr. Tara Rowe, Director of the UNF THRIVE Program, for being presented with the Marc Gold Innovative Practices in Transition Award. Dr. Rowe, the Director of THRIVE at the University of North Florida, received this honor at the...
HDS Companies Come Together On National Unity Day 2020
HDS Companies recently came together for National Unity Day 2020 and wore orange to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion in our world. By doing this, employees took a stand that no child should ever experience bullying. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention...
Say No To Cyberbullying
In a digital age, teens have constant access to their electronics whether it is a cell phone, tablet, or computer to communicate and socialize with their friends. This makes them an easy target to be cyberbullied. Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass,...
National Bullying Prevention Month
In 2006, the PACER Center-Champions for Children with Disabilities founded PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Through various partnerships with national parent organizations, PACER was able to provide schools, parents, and students with an abundance of...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. the Builders
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S Builders participated in a fun Community Based Instruction (CBI) activity last Friday, when they all were able to show their building skills as they all built a birdhouse together. Facilitators, Kathy Gorman-Gard and Donna Mansolillo began the CBI...
HDS Foundation Welcomes the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class Back!
Last week, the HDS Foundation had the pleasure to virtually attend the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class. Over the past years, we have visited the students to introduce ourselves and tell them about how HDS Foundation is involved in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program. A special lunch and...
Ask Eustacia – Q&A
Yesterday, the HDS Foundation attended the Ask Eustacia – Q&A webinar where Eustacia Cutler, Dr. Temple Grandin’s mother, presented on the topic: “How Will I Find My Way to the One Who Will Help Me Find My Way” via Zoom. Our employees and staff at HDS Companies,...
HDS Foundation Recorded Zoom Parent Meeting
If you were not able to attend the parent meeting, or if you would like to learn more about the HDS Foundation mission and the programs we provide, please watch the video above. The video is a recording from our most recent Zoom Parent Meeting with the Cypress Bay...
Tips for Staying Socially Connected for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
At the HDS Foundation, our goal is always to provide resources that currently relate to what is happening in our community. Due to COVID, our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students are learning how to build the skills that fall under each letter in our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program:...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parent Zoom Meeting
The HDS Foundation B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parent Meeting was a SUCCESS! Our board members kicked the meeting off by introducing themselves and sharing their overview on how the program has grown over the years. After the introductions were made, our President and Chairman,...
Labor Day 2020
“Get Your Food at Uber Speed” – UberEATS B.R.I.D.G.ES. CBI
Today, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class participated in their first virtual CBI 'trip" where they practiced their budgeting, resource, independent and social skills by ordering their own lunch through the UberEATS App - the new, fast, and easy way to order food in this new...
HDS Foundation and B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parents Kick-Off the New School Year
The HDS Foundation is super excited to meet our parents in tomorrow's B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parent Meeting! We look forward to sharing what our program is all about along with creative ways we will continue to achieve our mission in our "new normal".
Happy National Nonprofit Day!
National Nonprofit Day, founded by Sherita J. Herling, commemorates August 17, 1894, when the Tariff Act became law and gave exemptions for charitable institutions and nonprofit organizations. Today, we celebrate National Nonprofit Day by recognizing the positive...
Getting Where You Need to Go!
Transportation is an important aspect for postsecondary transitions for teens and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When they have the freedom to get to and from work, school, social activities, and medical appointments, their ability for independence...
How Young Adults with ASD Can Prepare for Employment
As High School students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), begin their postsecondary journey towards employment, they may begin to feel overwhelmed by the process of pursing their first job. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the families to help their child...
Hurricane Isaias
HDS is closely watching the forecast for Hurricane Isaias. Landfall is anticipated to occur north of our location sometime over the weekend, however we anticipate we will be fully operational throughout the weekend and into next week. HDS continues to operate...
Post-Secondary Pathways for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The pathway between high school, postsecondary education, and employment can be quite daunting and challenging for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fortunately, nowadays, students have options when meeting their graduation requirements during high...
ADA Celebrates 30 Years of Progress in Access and Inclusion
Throughout the year, we have been celebrating 30 years of progress in access and inclusion, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Anniversary. The ADA was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Through passing this law,...
How Employers Can Provide a Supportive Environment for ASD Employees
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) bring a variety of strengths and skills to the workplace. With a rising number of young adults entering the workforce, whose ASD ranges from mild to severe, it is becoming increasingly important for employers to provide...