Happenings & Stories
HDS Companies Software Developer
During this week's HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S Career Series, Alejandro Clavelo, a Software Developer at HDS Companies, shared his career path from college to employment with the class. Initially aspiring to become an astronaut during his youth in Cuba, he dreamed of one day...
Discovering the Beyond
During their Career Series this month, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students were able to connect with special guests, Sean Dunne, who serves as the Resources Management Officer (RMO) in the Exploration Research and Technology Group at Kennedy Space Center, and Dean Reges,...
A Special Guest Visits the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and facilitators warmly welcomed Kate Gilson Miranda, a Junior Board Member of the HDS Foundation, who served as a guest speaker during the Career Experience Series. Kate was delighted to tell them about her personal journey, from high...
The Heart of Special Olympics
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the opportunity to participate in the Special Olympics at their high school. Students demonstrated their abilities in the relay race, long jump, and softball throw. Before the day's events, students took time to go outside with...
Candle Making at its finest!
One of our additional HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Broward Programs also had the chance to participate in the Community Based Instruction in-house field trip with the ScentsAbility team. These students were given a chance to try their hand at candle making. Each student...
Cypress Bay BRIDGES Home Depot Flower Garden CBI
“Flowers are like friends; they bring diversity to your world.” The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Broward students worked on planting a flower garden at their high school over the past three weeks to enhance the garden space. The students participated in several activities to...
Cypress Bay HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students create Visions Boards
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Broward students spent the past few weeks creating their vision boards. The class facilitators, Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman-Gard begin the unit each year by having the students create vision boards. Once the students complete their boards...
HDS BRIDGES SUPER BOWL SOIREE
February is BUZZING with positive energy at our HDS BRIDGES Broward Program! Students planned and hosted a Super Bowl LVII-themed soirée for their high school administrators and peers in the Best Buddies Program. The big football game may be on a Sunday when kids are...
HDS BRIDGES Student & U.S. Army JROTC Lightning Battalion Cadet, Katelyn Promoted to Cadet Sergeant
Katelyn is a Junior in our HDS Broward County Public High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program. She enlisted in the U.S. Army JROTC Lightning Battalion in her Freshman year to fulfill a PE required credit, but she soon came to appreciate the program's leadership and sense of...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Enjoy the Best Burgers in Town!
For students with autism spectrum disorder and related abilities, socializing and participating in everyday activities can be challenging. That is why our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trips are so important. Recently, our students enjoyed...
Reaching the Special Needs Community Through the Arts.
During the 2023 Career Series, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the privilege of meeting Gustavo Padrino, the Community Engagement Manager at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Gustavo shared his journey from college to employment and explained how he...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Get a Lesson in Self-Advocacy
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students welcomed Ally Walford from the Family Network on Disability, who came out to speak to them about self-advocacy this week. Ally took the opportunity to emphasize the value of self-advocacy and the five areas that students should...
HDSF B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Learn about Tequesta Native Americans
Each year, as part of the Community-Based Instruction (CBI) field trips, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students spend a morning at Peace Mound Park in Weston, learning about the history of the Tequesta Native Americans. The 8.16-acre neighborhood park with waterfront views...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Get a Taste of Patriotism
Patriotism and barbeque are what the HDSF B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed during their lunch outing at Mission BBQ. Before the students headed to the restaurant, they reviewed the menu and decided what to order for lunch. The challenge was to order a main entree,...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Broward Host Career Day with Special Guest Rixys Alfonso, CEO of CauseMo Marketing
As students in the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Broward Program prepare for their high school graduation, Program facilitators Ms. Kathy Gorman-Gard and Ms. Donna Mansolillo have invited special guest speakers in various careers to share their career journeys with the...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Enjoy Lunch at their Local Panera Bread Cafe
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Community-Based Instruction (CBI) outings that we host in collaboration with our local high school partners are much more than purely educational. They are an opportunity for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other abilities to feel...
HDS Foundation needs your daily vote to win the 211 Broward Community Choice Award!
We are proud to share that our HDS Foundation is a Nominee for the 211 Broward, 2023 JM Family Enterprises Community Choice Award. This award is presented to a nonprofit organization that is making an impact through its Programs and Services in the lives of...
Dedicated Service Through Teamwork
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students headed to the local fire department for their Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trip. This CBI gave the students the opportunity to learn about what it entails to work in this field of helping others in the community when in...
HDS Foundation Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month
More than 50 years have passed since the first National Autism Awareness month was observed in the United States in April 1970. This month's events are meant to increase understanding of Autism and promote the inclusion of those who fall within the Autism Spectrum. ...
Runners and Walkers… Get Set, Ready, and Go!
The ESE teachers at Homestead Senior High School organized a 5K Buddy Run/Walk for their students, which was held just before Spring Break. Throughout the last few months, students signed up to become a "Buddy" with a student in the Exceptional Student Education...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Turn the Classroom into a Wood Shop for the Day
What a terrific day for the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they put on their wood-maker hats and choose what they wanted to build: a race car, pinball, or soccer game from Home Depot pre-cut wooden kits. Each student had the opportunity to create the project of their...
Cypress Bay High School ESE Transition Fair & College Night
The HDS Foundation (HDSF) enjoyed participating at Cypress Bay High School ESE Transition Fair & College Night. In preparation for the event, Program Manager Liz Falk assisted the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teacher, Alma Gonzalez, and Job Coach, Paula Wright, in helping...
Congratulation to the Nominees and Winners of the 12th Annual 211 Broward Community Care Plan Non-Profit Awards
On behalf of our Board of Directors, Junior Board Members, and Program Managers at the HDS Foundation, we want to congratulate the nominees and winners of the Community Care Plan Non-Profit Awards Presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The 211 Broward...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Create Wood Designs
Students from our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program visited Board & Brush Creative Studio as part of their Community-Based Instruction (CBI). They each had an opportunity to use their imagination to create a personalized wood design. Various stencils, including those...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Become Candlemakers!
Today, as part of their Community-Based Instruction (CBI), our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the opportunity to try their hand at making candles. The team at ScentsAbility Candles, a nonprofit that offers an innovative social enterprise and serves as a source of...