Proud to come together for Unity Day
We’re proud to come together to build a stronger community, promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion all year long. Check out our video to see our team showing up in unity for this important cause.
Growth, Empowerment and Community Service
On Friday, October 4th, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. team had a fun outing to Publix to gather supplies for the Harvest Drive! The students teamed up in groups of 3 to 4, each armed with a $25 gift card to shop for specific items from the Harvest Drive list. This annual event is always a highlight for our class, and this year was no different. Everyone worked smoothly together, tackling the shopping challenge with creativity and teamwork to find all the items on their lists.
Meanwhile, our other HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class was busy lending a helping hand to the local church, Hope at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church. They put together gift bags that will be distributed at the Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch throughout October. The students carefully filled each bag with the items provided by the church, ensuring everything was in order.
Through these activities, the students honed their skills in Growth and Empowerment, as well as Social Skills. They learned the value of community service while enjoying some quality time with their friends. It was a wonderful day of learning and giving back!
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
️ October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month ️
Join HDS Foundation to raise awareness, support survivors, and encourage early detection. Every step we take helps in the fight against breast cancer. Whether it’s sharing information, getting screened, or supporting loved ones, we all have a role in this important cause. Together, we can make a difference!
National Disability Employment Awareness Month!
It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month! This month, we celebrate the incredible contributions of workers with disabilities and raise awareness about the importance of creating inclusive work environments for everyone.
At HDS, we believe in the power of diverse talent. People with disabilities bring unique skills, perspectives, and creativity that help drive innovation and success in every field.
Let’s champion equal opportunities, break down barriers, and build workplaces that are truly inclusive. When we create space for everyone, we empower individuals and strengthen our communities.
Join us in celebrating the achievements of employees with disabilities and advocating for more inclusive hiring practices. Together, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
American Women’s Business Day
American Women’s Business Day honors the accomplishments and contributions of women in business in the United States. It highlights the growing number of women entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals who continue to break barriers in the business world. “You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.” – Eleanor Roosevelt, Former First Lady of the United States
Give Miami Day!
After 6 exciting and fast paced months preparing for our very first experience participating in Give Miami Day, WE FINALLY DID IT!!! The HDS Foundation successfully reached and surpassed our goal of $20,000! The months of October and November consisted of a variety...
Office Depot Challenge
Every week, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class has their Community Based Instruction trip where students are able to practice their skills. For this CBI, the students put their budgeting skills to the test. Upon arrival, students were divided into groups of 3-4 and were handed...
Flanigan’s
Our students enjoyed a meal at Flanigan’s to celebrate before the Thanksgiving holiday. This was our first outing to a sit-down restaurant as a class. During the classes leading up to our outing, the students learned about the types of meals offered at a restaurant...
Mission BBQ
Who doesn’t love barbeque food? Students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program enjoyed a delicious barbeque lunch at Mission BBQ for their Community Based Instruction (CBI). Each student had to order their own meal, deciding whether they wanted chicken, beef or pork. After...
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Money, Money! It’s that time a year when the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students get to experience opening their first bank account at the local bank. Students and their parent(s) drove to the local Bank of America on a Saturday morning where they got their accounts set up. They...
Weston Diner
A delicious meal was on the minds of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they went out on their Community Based Instruction (CBIs) to the Weston Diner. Students were able to decide if they wanted to order brunch or lunch at the restaurant. The purpose of this CBI was to...
Teamwork is the Key to Success!
Teamwork makes the Dreamwork! Students walked together to a local park and enjoyed being outside as they participated in several team building activities. As students chose their partner for the first activity, one was blindfolded and the other one had to give...
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween! Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a ghouling good time as they became architects constructing their own haunted houses. Each student was put into a group and were given the following ingredients: gingerbread cookies, icing & candy to begin their...
Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza
Pepperoni, mushrooms, and cheese! The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed their first outdoor eating Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza! Prior to the CBI, facilitators Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman-Gard discussed with students about...
Substitute vs. Supported Decision Making with FND
Substitute Decision Making to Supported Decision Making was the topic of discussion with Family Network on Disabilities: Ally Walford and the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students! The discussion began about the difference between Substitute Decision-Making vs. Supported Decision...