Making a Difference, One Student at a Time
We are proud to share the stories of these amazing teens & young adults during Autism Acceptance Month! Having a disability is not a limitation, it’s part of the strength, perspective, and passion that fuels their journey. They’re pursuing their dreams, doing what they love, and inspiring others along the way. Meet Meygan, a 2021 high school graduate and proud B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program alumna who continues to make a difference! Meygan participated in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program for two years and is now pursuing her passion as an Education Major at Broward College. Recently, she reconnected with the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teachers and is now volunteering in the classroom twice a week, making a meaningful impact on the students currently in the program. She’s also a dedicated tutor, helping students who need support in Algebra 2 and helping to build their confidence. Beyond the classroom, Meygan stays connected with several of her B.R.I.D.G.E.S. classmates, enjoying social activities together or spending time studying. Meygan plans to transfer to Florida International University to finish her degree in Education, and we have no doubt she’s going to be an incredible teacher!
Celebrating Jesus’ Path to Employment
Huge congratulations to Jesus on landing a new job! Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have paid off, and we couldn’t be happier for you. Wishing you all the success in this new chapter—go shine bright!
A Day of Celebration, Unity, and Acceptance
Special thanks to the amazing HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. teachers at our Miami-Dade High School for hosting such a fantastic event in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month! Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and their classmates enjoyed a day filled with sweet treats donated by Miami Dade Fire Rescue & Hispanic American Firefighters Association, hands-on CPR training, fun with temporary tattoos, visits from friendly service dogs, and a high-energy performance by the school band and cheerleaders!
It was a beautiful day full of inclusion, friendship, and fun, a perfect reminder of the power of community.

A Day of Friendship, Inclusion, and Inspiration
Kate Gilson, HDS Foundation Educator & Program Facilitator, and Board Member, recently took part in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk and what an unforgettable day it was! Following the walk, Kate was invited to an exclusive afternoon reception hosted by Best Buddies leadership, where she had the honor of meeting Anthony Shriver. The day continued with the launch celebration of I Am Maria, Maria Shriver’s new book. Kate was invited to share one of the poems from I Am Maria. That evening, at a special gathering at Books & Books, Kate was asked to close out the event by reading one of Maria’s poems. Her heartfelt performance left a lasting impression and earned her a well-deserved standing ovation. We are beyond proud of Kate and all that she continues to do to inspire, uplift, and advocate for inclusion and friendship.

On the Road to Independence
Huge congratulations to Zacharia on getting his learner’s permit! This is such an exciting milestone, and we’re so proud of you for taking this big step toward independence. Wishing you safe and happy driving adventures ahead!
Pizza Pizza!
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students practiced how to calculate leaving a tip and perfecting their signature, prior to heading out on their Community Based Instruction field trip this week. The students were so excited about going to Anthony's Coal Fire Pizza for lunch and...
Latin Business Today!
We want to thank Latin Business Today for supporting our Foundation by promoting our fundraising efforts! Please consider making your pledge today in support of our Give Miami Day event at https://myhds.co/3SbkLHb ...
Please join us on November 17th for 24 hours of online giving in support
We have been chosen for the second consecutive year by The Miami Foundation to participate in Give Miami Day, an annual giving movement that brings together nonprofits of all sizes to celebrate and increase generosity in Greater Miami. Please join us on November 17th...
Make Your Pledge Today!
Please mark your calendars for 11.17.22, and join us for #GiveMiamiDay, an all-day virtual fundraising initiative. By pledging to support us on Give Miami Day, you will help our Foundation continue to fulfill its mission. 100% of your donation will directly support...
Halloween Fun!
Today the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a walk around the school campus during their trick-or-treat activity! While students enjoyed the activity, they were also working on navigating around the school campus using a map. They used environmental texts, such as...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Make Their First Bank Account Deposit
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Make Their First Bank Account Deposit We are super proud of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students who became first-time bank account users at Bank of America and made their first deposit today. What great life skills for our students to learn! Please...
Join us for Greater Miami’s biggest day of giving
Join us for Greater Miami's biggest day of giving; our community will come together on 11.17.22 for #GiveMiamiDay encouraging everyone to become philanthropists for 24 hours. Show your support for HDS Foundation by making your pledge today at https://myhds.co/3SbkLHb....
HDS Foundation was selected by The Miami Foundation to participate in Give Miami Day for the Second Consecutive Year
HDS Foundation was selected by The Miami Foundation to participate in Give Miami Day for the Second Consecutive Year Each year, The Miami Foundation hosts Give Miami Day to encourage individuals to become philanthropists for a 24-hour period. Give Miami Day has become...
37TH Annual Main Street Festival of Lights
37TH Annual Main Street Festival of Lights, Brought to you by The Graham Companies and the Main Street Merchants “Benefiting Neighbors 4 Neighbors and Giving Gators” Miami, Florida – The 37th Annual Main Street Festival of Lights, brought to you by The...
Two of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students, Miguel and Kate, have thrived in their post-secondary journey!
When you support our Foundation through Give Miami Day, your donations will fund our programs and initiatives that help Teens and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum achieve meaningful and independent lives. Please consider pledging your support at...