Happy Birthday, Temple Grandin! Your brilliance and compassion inspire us all. Here’s to another year of making a difference! Thank you for leading the way for those of us in the neurodivergent community. You are truly an inspiration.

“Best Buddies are the family we choose for ourselves.” – Best Buddies Organization

National Homeownership Month, celebrated each June, honors the American dream of owning a home. It recognizes the importance of homeownership in providing stability, building wealth, and fostering community. This month highlights programs and policies that support homebuyers, especially those from underserved communities, helping more people achieve the joy and benefits of having a place to call their own.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida – HDS Foundation (HDSF) successfully hosted its inaugural We R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic at Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation, renowned as South Florida’s premier semi-private golf facility. The tournament was Presented by HDS Companies, the leading provider of diverse business solutions and professional technical services for the Affordable Housing and Community Development industries. 

Participants were treated to an exciting day of competition on the green. They enjoyed an exquisite lunch generously provided by PDQ restaurants (People Dedicated to Quality) and received the Official Inaugural Tournament Shirt, courtesy of The P5 Group. The competitive spirit soared during thrilling contests like Beat the Pro and Putting Green. As the sun set on a day filled with golfing excitement, golfers and guests gathered for an awards ceremony and a delicious dinner, where the lucky winners of the raffle drawings and silent auction were announced. 

Community leaders came together to acknowledge their ongoing support of Autism acceptance and inclusion through the programs HDSF funds with the grants it awards. Broward County Mayor Nan Rich and the City of Plantation Councilman Louis Reinstein presented the HDSF with Proclamations designating April 26, 2024, as HDS Foundation R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic Day in Broward County and the City of Plantation.  

The HDS Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors for their invaluable contributions to the resounding success of the We R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic. The tournament would not have been possible without the generous support of HDS Companies, The P5 Group, Friends of the HDS Foundation, Nighthawk Trucking, PDQ, Risk Management  La Rocca & Associates, NorthStar Financial Planners, The Miranda Family, The Denihan & Athey Families, The Sotolongo Miranda Family, Grove Bank & Trust, Infinity Dreamspace, The Graham Companies, Clear Channel Outdoor,  The Dan Marino Foundation, CAPTRUST & the Stephen H. Schott Family, Ana Maria & Mark Gordon, The Moffitt Family, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, CauseMo Marketing, PepsiCo, Double Eagle Distributing, SLR Photography, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Plantation Police Department. 

To learn more about the HDS Foundation, please visit HDSFoundation.org.  

About HDS Foundation    

The HDS Foundation, Inc., a 501 © 3 Non-Profit Organization, is the driving force behind the numerous charitable efforts of HDS Companies and Founder and CEO Cristina Miranda Gilson, who serves as HDSF President and Chairman. The Foundation encapsulates Cristina’s passion for supporting the Autism Community through collaborations that bring together programs and resources, as well as HDS Companies’ commitment to pursuing corporate social responsibility initiatives in the communities in which we live, work, and learn. The Foundation’s primary mission is to provide resources for families and organizations that Mentor, Teach, Develop, and Support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and beyond.   

ABOUT HDS COMPANIES    

Founded in 1998, Housing and Development Services (HDS Companies), through its two business divisions, Housing and Development Software and eHousingPlus, is the leading provider of diverse business solutions and professional technical services in the U.S. Affordable Housing and Community Development Marketplace. HDS has collaborated with more than 230 State and Local Agencies throughout the continental United States and has remained on top of its game for the last 25 years. To learn more about HDS Companies, please visit HDSCompanies.com. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Liz Falk

954.217.9597 | [email protected]

We would like to thank the @cityofplantation Florida Council Member and @plantationlouis for supporting the Autism Community and presenting us with the City of Plantation Proclamation designating April 26, 2024 as HDS Foundation – We R.I.S.E. for Autism Day!