HDS Board Member Honored as Best Buddies Florida State Ambassador

We are excited to share that HDS Foundation Board Member Kate Gilson Miranda has been named one of the Best Buddies Florida State Ambassadors for 2025–2027! Kate’s passion, dedication, and commitment to inclusion continue to inspire us all, and this honor is so well-deserved! Please join us in congratulating Kate on this incredible achievement! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see the amazing impact you’ll make in the years ahead!
More Than a Meal: Lessons for Life
Our Broward HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently had the chance to enjoy several Community-Based Instruction (CBI) lunch outings, each one offering valuable real-world learning and social experiences! They visited three local favorites: Outback, Offerdahl’s Off-The-Grill, and Mitch’s Westside Bagels, giving students a variety of dining settings to explore. Before each trip, the class reviewed the restaurant’s menu and practiced budgeting skills by calculating tax and tip while staying within their $25 limit. At each restaurant, students engaged in conversations with peers and staff, placed their own orders, and enjoyed a delicious meal!

Exploring STEM Futures at Broward College
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had an exciting opportunity to spend the day at Broward College exploring the ACCESS (Accelerating College Completion by Engaging Students in STEM) Project, a Title III Grant initiative. This project supports both the academic and workforce needs of students and regional employers by enhancing completion and transfer rates in Information Technology (IT) programs.
During their visit, students engaged in hands-on STEM experiences, including coding, robotics, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and interactive mobile classrooms. A highlight of the day was touring the Broward College Aviation, where students explored aircraft hangars and got an up-close look at airplane and helicopter engines. This immersive experience gave students valuable insight into the wide range of post-secondary pathways available to them in STEM and IT fields.
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HDS Mentors Making a Difference
A huge thank you to our amazing HDS Companies team members, Bridget Wong, Ashley Walker, and Delisay Baldaji for inspiring our Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students during their Career Series! These incredible women shared their journeys from college to launching meaningful careers at HDS and gave our students a behind-the-scenes look at their professional paths.
The students were engaged, curious, and asked thoughtful questions throughout. We’re so grateful to our amazing mentors for making a lasting impact and showing what’s possible!
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Business-Savvy and Tech-Ready
We’re so proud of Noam, a sophomore in the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program, for reaching an exciting achievement! This year, he earned certifications in Photoshop Premiere Pro and Business Management & Entrepreneurship. Noam set a goal and followed through with focus and determination. Congratulations, Noam! Keep up the amazing work!
The Friendship Journey at their Annual Friendship Gala
Last night the HDS Foundation had the pleasure of supporting our friends at The Friendship Journey at their Annual Friendship Gala. Along with two of our BRIDGES teachers, previous students, colleagues, and friends, we celebrated the work that they, and their...
Thank you!
We want to thank The Miami Laker for featuring our organization in their piece on The Miami Foundation's Give Miami Day!Please read this great story https://miamilaker.com/Community/give-miami-day-is-nov-17 and consider making your pledge to our Foundation today in...
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...