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!
Celebrating Autism Acceptance with Miguel
I had an amazing conversation with Miguel about Autism Acceptance Month! We talked about what this month means to him personally and why shifting the focus from awareness to true acceptance is so important. His insights were so powerful because at the end of the day,...
April is Autism Awareness Month!
Join us as we celebrate neurodiversity, raise awareness, and advocate for inclusion and acceptance. This month, we’ll be sharing resources, personal stories, and ways you can support the autism community. Together, we can make a difference. Let’s spread understanding...
BRIDGES Students Gain Lifelong Skills
Our Broward County students had an amazing opportunity to showcase their micro-enterprise at the monthly ESE Specialist meeting for the district! With the support of staff, they created and sold handmade pens and keychains—earning an impressive $130 in sales! This...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
HDS BRIDGES Students Making a Difference!
Our HDS BRIDGES class in Broward County recently took part in two CBI shopping trips, turning a lesson in budgeting and community service into a heartfelt project for children in need. Five Below: Students were given a $4.00 budget to purchase crayons for the school...
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...