The HDS College Mentors Program strives to identify the peripheral needs of students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder or related disabilities, who are seeking a College Degree and are living at a University or College Campus. Although the Program does not focus on academic course requirements mandated by the schools, it does focus on the guidance and supports needed by the students to achieve success in each of their academic fields.  The program helps students meet these needs by addressing the social and emotional challenges that interfere with academic learning and creating viable daily activities that mitigate those circumstances and help these individuals build strong interpersonal skills. It further explores the contributions these students can make to become the catalyst of change needed in our society to adapt to differences in learning styles, career structures, and social relationships.

Peer collaboration is one of the most valuable tools available to ease the learning process and navigate social demands. The opportunities for growth via conduits that team up students with ASD with typical students who are of the same age group (who share similar experiences and challenges), and who have different skill sets and ideas is hugely beneficial to this population. All involved benefit significantly from these experiences and grow exponentially in their problem-solving abilities. 

The College Mentors Program is both facilitated by the Foundation or can be structured in the form of a grant if the organization has a formal program in place.

As Albert Einstein said, “Today’s problems cannot be solved at the same level of thinking that created them” and “in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” 

A Canvas Without Limits

A Canvas Without Limits

For this week’s Career Series, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students were delighted to have the opportunity to connect with Digital Artist Mike Spring via Zoom. Given the students' keen interest in pursuing Digital Art as a career path, Liz Falk, HDS Foundation Program...

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Teachers & Mentors Appreciation Week

Teachers & Mentors Appreciation Week

As part of the 2023 Teacher & Mentor Appreciation Week, the HDS Foundation team is honoring the dedication of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. and College Mentors Program teachers and mentors, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to ensure the success of our...

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Teachers & Mentors Appreciation Week

Celebrating Student Achievements

Imagine…Believe…Achieve! Congratulations to all of the students for their accomplishments this year. We are so proud of you! April is Autism Acceptance Month. Be Aware. Be Kind. Be Understanding.  We would like to celebrate the following students for their...

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iCode – Empowering Future Innovators

iCode – Empowering Future Innovators

Today, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students embarked on their weekly Community-Based Instruction (CBI) field trip to iCode, an interactive STEM Education Learning Center that provides coding and STEM instruction led by instructors for children from kindergarten to 12th...

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HDS Companies Software Developer

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...

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Dedicated Service Through Teamwork

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...

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Discovering the Beyond

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,...

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The Heart of Special Olympics

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...

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