BRIDGES Students Cultivate Confidence Through Gardening
The Broward BRIDGES students have been hard at work in their school garden, taking care of several garden beds by weeding, watering, and tending to a variety of vegetables and herbs! Each student plays an important role—whether it’s filling water cans, pulling weeds, or making sure the plants get the care they need.
When it’s time to harvest, these fresh ingredients will be used to create delicious recipes, bringing their hard work full circle! Hands-on learning at its best!
Fun Day at the Fair!
Recently, our Miami Dade BRIDGES Students had an amazing time visiting the Miami Dade Youth Fair as part of a Community-Based Instruction (CBI) outing. From the moment they arrived, excitement filled the air as they explored the fairgrounds, eager to experience the rides and attractions.
One of the best parts of the day was watching the pure joy on their faces after each ride. No matter if it was a thrilling roller coaster, a spinning attraction, or a classic fair ride, every single time they stepped off, they would enthusiastically say, “I loved that ride!” Their excitement never wavered, making it clear how much fun they were having.
Beyond the rides, the students also enjoyed spending time together, sharing laughs, and making unforgettable memories. One student even mentioned that one of his favorite parts of the CBI was when Ms. Kate came, highlighting the meaningful connections and impact these experiences create.
It was a fantastic day at the Youth Fair, full of joy, adventure, and moments that remind us of the importance of community and shared experiences!
Cypress Bay High School Transition Fair
Last night, we had the pleasure of participating in the Cypress Bay High School Transition Fair, where parents gained valuable insight into various community resources available to support their child’s transition from high school to post-secondary. We also shared our resource page at hdsfoundation.org, to guide parents through this new chapter with their son or daughter. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with families and provide valuable support during this important transition.
BRIDGES Students Take on the Best Buddies Walk!
Our BRIDGES students had an amazing time participating in a Best Buddies Walk at their school! They walked together to promote inclusion, spread awareness, and celebrate friendship. It was a fantastic day filled with energy, teamwork, and support for an important cause.
We’re so proud of their dedication to creating a more inclusive world—one step at a time!
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
This month, we celebrate the talents, strengths, and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities while promoting inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities for all. Whether it’s in school, the workplace, or the community, everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. Let’s break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and uplift voices that deserve to be heard!
LinkedIn Future Employment
In preparation for their post-secondary journey, the students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program, have spent time focusing on job skills to help prepare them for future employment. Facilitators Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman-Gard provided opportunities for the students...
Pizza Party!
As the year comes to an end, we are so proud of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and their accomplishments this school year. HDS Foundation Board Member, Meagan Bouscher and HDS Foundation Program Manager Liz Falk, enjoyed time celebrating with the students and finding out...
Mother’s Day Gifts
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students combined an educational Community Based Instruction (CBI) with honoring their mothers for Mother’s Day. In preparation for making a gift for Mother’s Day, facilitators Mrs. Karla Lama and Mrs. Courtney Henry, discussed the importance of...
Lunch at the Park
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a beautiful day at the park having a delicious lunch from Chik-Fil-A for their Community Based Instruction (CBI) fieldtrip. The day before heading to the park, students reviewed the Chik-Fil-A menu and decided what they wanted to...
Weston Diner
This week, students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class went to the Weston Diner for their weekly Community Based Instruction (C.B.I.) fieldtrip, to enjoy a delicious lunch! Many of the students had never been to the Weston Diner and were very excited to go and experience the...
If You Don’t Ask for Boar’s Head, We Can’t Be Friends
This week, students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class made their way to Publix to order a delicious pub sub for lunch! To prepare for this Community Based Instruction (CBI), students took time to look over the menu online, and decided on the many different choices of...
BurgerFi Community Based Instruction
“Redefining the Way the World Eats Burgers” proved to be true for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students when they headed to BurgerFi for the Community Based Instruction (CBI) activity. When the students arrived, they were greeted by a server who made them all feel welcome as he...
Career Day
As students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program begin to prepare for graduation, facilitators Ms. Donna Mansolillo and Ms. Kathy Gorman-Gard wanted to invite guest speakers in various careers to come and share their career journey with their students. When the teachers...
Spring Gardening
This week the students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class visited Home Depot for a little Spring Gardening. Prior to the trip, students learned about the variety of plants you can buy and which plants are compatible with each other. For example, some plants need full sun,...
Autism Awareness 2022
April is Autism Awareness Month and on April 2nd we celebrate World Autism Day. Autism is a developmental disability that can cause social, communication and behavioral challenges. This month we shine a light on the 1 in 59 people who are diagnosed with Autism...