Happenings & Stories
HDS Foundation Board Members Making an Impact
Join us in supporting a great cause and promoting acceptance, inclusion, and opportunities for individuals with Autism! Our dedicated HDS Foundation Board Members proudly champion the Florida Autism License Plate Program, helping raise awareness and strengthen vital...
Learning on the Field
Students had a chance to enjoy a fun and educational day outdoors before Thanksgiving break started, enjoying the beautiful weather while practicing important skills! The focus of the day was conversational skills and teamwork. At the baseball field, students went to...
Creating with Purpose: Students Make Their Own Candles
Last week, our students enjoyed a fun, hands-on experience when Scentsability, a nonprofit that creates artisan scented candles and provides meaningful workplace opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), visited the school to...
Sharing Food, Friendship, and Gratitude
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students came together to celebrate Friendsgiving with a special lunch from Chick-fil-A! They enjoyed great food, shared conversations, and spent meaningful time building connections with their peers. Students were excited for Thanksgiving Break...
Using Recreation to Build Life Skills and Independence
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a blast at Round USA, for a day full of fun and friendship! Each student received a game card and got to play the games of their choice. From claw machines to sports and simulation games, students explored activities that matched...
Preparing for Independence Through Hands-On Learning
The students had a great experience during the Community-Based Instruction trip as part of the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program. They visited several retail stores, including TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, and Five Below, where they worked in pairs to complete assigned...
Learning Through Service: HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Support Jamaica Relief Drive
We are so proud of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students for making a meaningful impact! In response to recent events, students participated in the Jamaica Relief Drive at their school to support those affected by Hurricane Melissa. The students were split into groups and...
HDS Foundation has been awarded $10,000 by the Autism Services Grants Council (ASGC)
🎉 Exciting News! 🎉We are thrilled to share that HDS Foundation has been awarded $10,000 by the Autism Services Grants Council (ASGC) for our Bridging the Gap: Empowering Students with Autism program! The ASGC is committed to supporting programs that...
Creating with Purpose: Students Make Their Own Candles
Last week, our students enjoyed a fun, hands-on experience when Scentsability , a nonprofit that creates artisan scented candles and provides meaningful workplace opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), visited the school to...
Celebrating 17 Years of Making a Difference
For 17 incredible years, HDS Foundation has been dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth and young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). What began as a vision to empower and support has grown into a movement that transforms lives every single...
Creating, Connecting, and Celebrating Fall!
To celebrate the fall season, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a fun outing to Flamingo Nursery! Students had the opportunity to paint pumpkins, take a relaxing hayride, and explore the beautiful nursery grounds. The day began with a creative pumpkin-painting...
Happy Halloween
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students participated in their class annual Pumpkin Carving Contest! Students were put into groups and teamed up to design, carve, and create their very own pumpkin masterpieces with help from their Best Buddies peers. The day was filled with...
Halloween Fun Meets Real-World Learning
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students got into the Halloween spirit with a fun and educational trip to Target! Before shopping, they practiced budgeting skills in class to plan their purchases. Working in small groups, students searched for items under $10 that included 12...
Budgeting, Ordering, and Building Confidence at Chick-fil-A
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently enjoyed a meaningful and interactive learning experience at Chik Fil A! Prior to the trip, they practiced budgeting and calculating meal totals to prepare for placing their own orders. During the visit, students confidently...
Shopping for a Cause: B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Support the Harvest Drive
Giving back while learning important life skills, that’s what our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students experienced during their recent trip to Publix to support their local Harvest Drive! Students worked in groups to find five items each to complete a Harvest Drive Box, using...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Give Back to the Community
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently volunteered with Hope at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church to help prepare gift bags for the upcoming Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch event! Students worked together to fill each bag with care, practicing teamwork, responsibility,...
Smiles, Music, and Memories: A Homecoming to Remember
This weekend, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had an unforgettable night at Homecoming! Students dressed up, danced, and enjoyed an evening full of fun, laughter, and memories. Events like these give our students a chance to practice social skills, build confidence,...
A Night of Connection, Learning, and Support for HDS Families
Thank you to everyone who joined us for HDS Foundation: Parent Connect, Learn & Support Night! A special shoutout to all the parents of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students who attended and to Nathalie Stanish, M.S., Manager of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation &...
Connecting Classroom Learning to Real-Life Skills
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students kicked off their Community Based Instruction Trips with a fun and educational day at the mall! After working hard at their job sites all week, students enjoyed a leisure day that put their budgeting and independent living skills into...
Empowering Independence: Real-World Budgeting Lessons for HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took a trip to Publix to put their budgeting and communication skills into action! Each student worked with an $18 budget to purchase a drink, meal, and dessert. Some headed to the deli for subs, while others explored the hot food section...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October, HDS Foundation honors those who have bravely fought breast cancer, remembers the loved ones we have lost, and stands with the survivors whose strength inspires us all. We recognize the importance of awareness, early detection, and support for...
October marks the 80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
HDS Foundation proudly celebrates the many skills, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce. We honor this milestone by continuing to support inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment in our communities.
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Practice Real-World Budgeting
Today, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students went on their first Community-Based Instruction (CBI) field trip to Walmart! Their challenge was to work in teams of three and stay within a $25 budget while purchasing office supplies for their teachers. At the checkout, some...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Open Their First Bank Accounts
This past weekend, HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took an exciting step toward independence by opening their own bank accounts at Bank of America ! As part of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Grant, stipends are provided for each student, giving them the opportunity to set up an...
College Mentors Making a Difference
HDS Foundation is proud to support students at the University of North Florida through our College Mentors Program in partnership with the Transition to Healthiness, Resourcefulness, Independence, Vocation, and Education (THRIVE) Program. The dedicated mentors have...