Happenings & Stories
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...
Summer Fun!
Summer is back and teens are looking for some “safe” fun during this unprecedent time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although, activities will not look the same as they did last summer, teens can still find activities to do and have lots of fun. Traditionally, teens...
HDS Celebrates 22 Years of Commitment
Dear valued client and industry partners and HDS Family, This year we celebrate 22 years of commitment to affordable housing and community development, bringing technology and service solutions to this industry. Our mission for over two decades has been to support...
ASDY Tech Reunites Through Zoom
Our HDS Companies ASDY-Tech (Autism Spectrum Disorder Young Adult Technicians) team joined us for a Zoom “Party” to surprise their mentor, Terri Scharnow. Everyone was so happy to see one another after being in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Program...
HDS Foundation Highlights Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Student
In today’s edition of the HDS Foundation's B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Student Spotlight, we are highlighting Sam, an upcoming 11th grader at Cypress Bay High School. During his time in quarantine, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam participated in online learning classes and...
Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Student Spotlight
In today's edition of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Student Spotlight, we are highlighting Matt. He is a graduate of the Cypress Bay High School Class of 2020. Matt is an avid sports fan and follows everything related to sports. On any given day, Matt wears his favorite college...
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,...