Happenings & Stories
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...
CBHS BRIDGES at HDS
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students from the Bay made their way to Housing Development Services, Inc. in Weston for their weekly Community Based Instruction trip. This visit gave students and teachers the opportunity to learn more about the different options students can take...
Homestead BRIDGES Discover Their Inner Artists
As Autism Awareness Month is approaching, the Homestead Senior Highschool B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program has been exploring their creative side. They visited Painting with a Twist in The Falls for one of their Community Based Instruction trips. Students, Teachers, HDS...
Cypress BRIDGES Class Become Artists for the Day
Looking for a one of a kind and creative experience to enjoy with your friends? Painting Fiesta is the place to go. The Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class went on their weekly CBI trip to A Painting Fiesta Art Studio in Weston where they had the opportunity to feel like...
Can You Find the Clues?
The Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class set out on a quest to Peace Mound Park in Weston where students enjoyed a beautiful day outside working together on a scavenger hunt. The class was divided into teams and were given a clipboard, a pencil, and fourteen questions...
HDS Companies Celebrates International Women’s Day
March 8th marks International Women’s Day acknowledging the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. HDS Companies and the HDS Foundation celebrates International Women’s Day highlighting all the achievements our women have accomplished. “We...
Cypress Bay BRIDGES Eats More Chikin
Chik-Fil-A nuggs and fries? Need I say more?! The Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class headed out on their Community Based Instruction trip to Chik-Fil-A in Weston. Like many other CBI trips, students arrived, looked over the delicious menu, and decided what...