Happy Valentine’s Day from our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
Our Miami Dade County students celebrated with a fun-filled ice cream social, making heartfelt cards and decorations. The day was all about creativity, teamwork, and sweet memories. Meanwhile, our Broward students practiced pre-employment skills, selling keychains and pens around the school! Afterward, they celebrated with a pizza party and exchanged letters and snacks they bought at Target. It was a day full of joy, growth, and community spirit!
Our Experience with the THRIVE Program at University of North Florida!
Last Thursday morning, we had the amazing opportunity to visit the North Florida School of Special Education (NFSSE) and see firsthand how they empower students with intellectual and developmental differences. From Berry Good Farms and Art With Soul to their innovative microenterprises, we saw incredible vocational programs that provide hands-on training and employment opportunities!
We also had the privilege of speaking with Alyssa L. Schneider, who shared her inspiring journey as a college student at UNF despite being told she wouldn’t make it. Her poetry about her autism experience is truly powerful!
At UNF, we met with Amber from the THRIVE Program, learned about the Student Accessibility Center (SAC) and its role in supporting students with disabilities, and explored USoar, UNF’s newest program helping students with intellectual disabilities gain academic, social, and career skills. All in all, it was a fun and insightful day! Huge thanks to THRIVE, NFSSE, the Student Accessibility Center, and USoar for an unforgettable experience!
Super Bowl LIX Fun!
This weekend’s Super Bowl LIX matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles had our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students very excited! Leading up to the big game, students made their predictions and tallied votes—with the Chiefs as the predicted winners! To get in the game-day spirit, students took part in football-themed training camps, putting their skills and teamwork to the test. They wrapped up the fun with a Super Bowl party lunch, making it a celebration to remember!
From predictions to playtime, our students had a blast gearing up for the big game!
Students Build Financial Skills in Real-World Banking
On Friday, January 24th, our Social Personal Skills Class took a hands-on approach to financial literacy with a CBI outing to Bank of America! Students practiced depositing checks at the ATM using their debit cards—after first honing their banking skills in class.
After banking, the students headed to Panera for lunch! Some deposits weren’t immediately credited, so students’ problem-solved by tracking their purchases and reimbursing their teachers via Zelle in the next class. This experience reinforced essential online banking skills and real-world money management.
Through this outing, the students covered key BRIDGES areas:
B – Budgeting
R – Resources
S – Social Skills
Great job to all our students for practicing independence and problem-solving!
Fitness Fun with Our Miami Dade Students!
This week our amazing Miami Dade students had the opportunity to visit Caution Crossfit for an unforgettable workout experience! They jumped, lifted, and stretched their way through a fantastic session, all while learning the importance of staying active and healthy.
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...
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....
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...
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...
DMF Block Party Recap
Each year at HDS Companies, we recognize April as National Autism Awareness Month by supporting the Autism Community throughout the State of Florida. This year during the month we supported several very worthy causes and initiatives by the Miami-Dade County Mayor and...