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!
An Unforgettable Night of Inclusion & Hockey
Special thanks to The Friendship Journey & Samantha Novick, for inviting us to Autism Acceptance Night with the Florida Panthers! It was an unforgettable evening filled with hockey, community, and inclusion. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an inclusive and memorable event!
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Athletes Shine at Special Olympics
What an incredible day supporting our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they participated in the Special Olympics at their school. Our students gave it their all in the relay race, hurdles, and long jump and they absolutely crushed it! Their determination, spirit, and teamwork were on full display, and we couldn’t be prouder! They showed us all that with heart and perseverance, anything is possible. Way to go, team! 
Autism Acceptance in Action at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School
This week, teachers and staff participated in a special presentation in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School (HML). The event featured a fun and educational Kahoot quiz on Autism Acceptance, led by Yuri, a student and member of the Best Buddies Club. Winners walked away with gift cards donated by Panera Bread, Starbucks, and the Museum Discovery and Science! We were happy to provide the donated gift cards for our amazing teachers!
Publix, Where Shopping is A Pleasure
As part of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program Community Based Instruction (CBI), students learn budgeting skills while they shop for goods and services. Part of the grant money our Foundation awards to the schools each year goes to purchasing gift cards. This week, our...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students participate in the Office Depot Challenge!
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took on the Office Depot Challenge with their teams to purchase supplies within their specified budget. Each team had to work together, communicate, and decide which items would be the best choice to keep their project within budget....
We are excited to meet the new students in our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program
We are excited to meet the new students in our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program for the 2022-2023 school year! We are looking forward to a great year!
Patriot Day 2022
On this Patriot Day we remember the first responders and those who made difficult decisions to save lives. Flags are flown at half-mast on this day to honor our fallen brothers and sisters. A moment of silence is traditionally observed at 8:46 AM.
IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK!
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students visited the park to participate in various team-building activities over the past two weeks. Together with their teammates, they overcame various obstacles to achieve their goal with a partner. Students were blindfolded as they were...
Welcome back, HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students!
Welcome back, HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students! It was awesome seeing everyone, both old and new faces, and We're looking forward to a great year!
Join us for Resource Night for Teens and Adults with Disabilities
Join us for Resource Night for Teens and Adults with Disabilities, hosted by Bridge Therapy and The Friendship Journey on Tuesday, August 23rd at 6 pm. Our Program Managers, Meagan Bouscher and Liz Falk will be sharing our Foundation's Resource webpage, which offers...
National Non-Profit Day 2022
Over the last 24 years, giving back has been at the heart of HDS and has always been a part of our company’s mission. As we celebrate #NationalNonProfitDay, we want to take this opportunity to thank our workforce volunteer group, the HDS Contenders and our community...
HDS Foundation Presents at Town of Miami Lakes of Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board Meeting
Earlier this month, HDS Foundation Board Members and Staff met with Miami Lakes Mayor Manny Cid and the Chair of the Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board, Mario Pinera. The purpose of our meeting was to discuss the Foundation's vision of expanding the HDSF...
HDS 24th Anniversary
HDS Companies 24th Anniversary. HDS Companies is honored to commemorate our 24th Anniversary – a pinnacle milestone as a privately held and nationally recognized Technology and Services corporation, and Minority Women Owned Business Enterprise. For 24 years, our...