Happenings & Stories
Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Parents Find Out “What’s Out There”
In a blink of an eye, four years go by and students are ready to graduate, while many parents find themselves planning what their child’s future will look like after high school. This time can be very stressful for both the student and the parents. With that being...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class Says Good-bye For the Summer
Yesterday was a day filled with lots of “good-byes” and “air hugs” as the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students met at Library Park for their final CBI trip of the school year. Students enjoyed a brief social gathering while wearing masks and following social distancing...
WE HAVE MOVED OUR HEADQUARTERS
We are excited to announce that as of yesterday, June 1st, we are officially moved into our new headquarters in Miami Lakes, FL. Please make sure you UPDATE our new address as noted below, and distribute as needed to your departments. Our telephone numbers and email...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Virtual Class Comes to an End
Last Thursday, students from Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program participated in their LAST online class of the 2020 school year. However, this ZOOM meeting wasn't like the others. It was a very special one where the facilitators presented a recap of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S....
2020 Virtual Youth and Parent Summit
Set your IPhone’s, Androids, and laptops for June 8th – 12th to tune in to this summer’s I’m Determined Summit hosted online! This youth and parent summit is an annual event sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Partnership for People with...
Highlighting Students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program
As we continue to share student stories and testimonials throughout the next few weeks, we hope everyone enjoys learning all about the fascinating young adults in the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S Social Personal Skills Program. We are very proud of our students and their efforts...
Happy Memorial Day 2020
Highlighting Students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program
Throughout the next few weeks, the HDS Foundation will be highlighting several students from the Cypress Bay High School and Homestead Senior High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Social Personal Skills Program. We are proud of each student and their accomplishments throughout...
Dr. Temple Grandin Boston Webinar
On April 30th, HDS Foundation President Cristina Miranda Gilson, along with Board Members, Meagan Bouscher and Kate Gilson Miranda, Program Manager, Liz Falk, PR Consultant, Rixys Alfonso, Cypress Bay BRIDGES Facilitator, Kathy Gorman-Gard and Dr. Tara Rowe, Director...
Guest Speaker Attends Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Zoom Meeting
On Thursday, May 7th, the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class had a special guest speaker attend one of their Zoom meetings. Kate Gilson Miranda, a former Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. student, joined the Zoom meeting to share her experience transitioning from high school to...
The HDS Foundation Resource Page is Now LIVE!
The time that you all have been waiting for has finally arrived!!! During the last few weeks, the HDS Foundation has been putting in hard work, day and night, to make sure we have a new and improved Resource Page for YOU! The Foundation’s primary mission is to...
HDS Companies Wraps Autism Awareness Month
As Autism Awareness Month comes to a close, we continue to shine a light on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the possibilities that they create through their differing abilities. Throughout the month, HDS Foundation has shared community resources,...
A New World of Challenges and Opportunities Lies Ahead for Autistic Youths Transitioning to Adulthood
In 2018, HDS Companies (HDS) spearheaded an autism-focused employment initiative, ASDY-Tech (Autism Spectrum Disorder Youth-Tech). Inspired by our CEO, Cristina Miranda Gilson, who has an autistic daughter, the program focuses on work abilities, team-building...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. GRANT
The HDS Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization founded to provide mentoring services and opportunities to teens and young adults who have Autism-related disabilities—launched in 2008 by Founder and Chairman, Cristina Gilson-Miranda, the organization funds...
Toolbox for Success
Cristina Miranda Gilson is the Founder and CEO of HDS Companies. A passionate Philanthropist, Cristina has been an active supporter of numerous charitable initiatives throughout her life. Inspired through her journey raising her daughters, she has been an avid...
What Your Sister Means to You
Siblings are like flowers from the same garden where each flower has their own unique traits and personalities. Throughout a lifetime, siblings challenge, respect, admire and teach each other life lessons when necessary. As part of our Autism Awareness Month programs,...
Press Release COVID 19 New EIP Guidance Statement
New Guidance about COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Beneficiaries from Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul “The Treasury Department launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Goes Virtual
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class from Cypress Bay has gone virtual! Facilitators Kathy Gorman-Gard and Donna Mansolillo have been holding their Life Skills class digitally via Zoom. Although the learning style has changed and students will have to adapt, the class will...
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. Although people with ASD don't look physically different, they may communicate, interact,...
HDS Companies Shines a Light on Autism
April is World Autism Awareness Month! World Autism Awareness Month was initially implemented in 2007 by the United Nations to help educate society about Autism and how this global health issue is rising over time. Each year, the HDS Companies joins thousands of...
National Fair Housing Month Awareness
Each year during April, we commemorate National Fair Housing Month by increasing efforts to end housing discrimination and raising awareness of fair housing rights. The Fair Housing Act was enacted over 50 years ago, and is designed to protect Americans from...
To Our Valued Agency Clients
During this difficult time for so many, we are reaching out to you and your staff to convey that the HDS Companies (HDS Software and eHousingPlus) successfully transitioned to a Complete Remote Operation BCDR Plan. Through the hard work of many on the HDS Management...
Wings in Weston
The Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class took their weekly community-based instruction trip to Wings in Weston where they were able to practice their budgeting, independence and social skills. Students were seated, and as they looked over the menu, they were...
Cypress Bay BRIDGES Tours the Y
Let’s get physical, physical! The Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program toured the Weston YMCA for their CBI trip in order to familiarize themselves with different physical activity options. First, the class was taken to the weight room to explore the...
Stop, Drop and Roll
The three words children and teens learn in case of a fire are: Stop, Drop and Roll. But not many know what occurs at a fire station, the firefighter’s role, or the training that goes into becoming one. With that being said, the Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program took...