Highlighting Our S.A.P. Program!
The HDS Foundation Social Activities Program (S.A.P.) is a customized, social and life-skills program designed to enhance the lives of young adults who are attending a college or university, living in the dorms or partially independent housing. The program aims to fill the gap caused by being away from home, difficulty with peer relationships, limited life skills, and at times just feeling lonely and not being able to engage in the important social aspects and relationship(s) building. SAP is like the BRIDGES program in that it provides similar opportunities for these students, but at a college/university level.
SAP is structured with the collaboration of individuals who have a background in this type of mentoring program and have access to the college student population it aims to assist. Various activities are structured around college life, including creating study hours, tutoring, cleaning, laundry, joining clubs, learning to drive, joining exercise and health-related groups, and planning weekend events are just a few of the kinds of activities that the SAP Program supports via a Grant. Utilizing various successful strategies, collaborating with the students and their families, and the community at large, SAP opportunities will no doubt provide a positive, growth experience for this group of students who are at a critical stage of transition.
SAP also focuses on skill building in the areas of housing and related daily activities such as cooking, gardening, house handy work, problem solving, community activities and how to access them.
Get the Door, It’s Domino’s!
Get the Door. It’s Domino’s!
Last week’s Community Based Instruction (CBI) included ordering lunch from delicious Dominos. In preparation for this CBI, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students attended a “drive by” at the high school to pick up their own individual Domino’s Gift Card. By having this gift card, all students would have the opportunity to practice their budgeting skills while also learning how to place an online order. To simplify this process, Facilitators Kathy Gorman-Gard and Donna Mansolillo reviewed in class the steps of the online ordering process so students would know what to expect.
Pizza Day could not come soon enough for the students! On the day of the CBI, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students were put to the test and independently ordered their lunch online through the Domino’s website. Did you know that Domino’s delivers not only pizza, but pasta, chicken wings, salads and desserts? As they added their items in their cart, students made sure that their total stayed within their $20 budget. Students followed the instructions on how to check out which included choosing the correct restaurant location, adding their address for delivery, and lastly instructing the delivery person on where to drop off the food. After placing their orders, students patiently waited for their lunch to arrive.
All of the students received their orders and were happy to enjoy a tasty meal. Catherine was sure to remark how delicious her marble brownie tasted!
Throughout the past year, online ordering has become more popular; therefore, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program has incorporated this life skill on how to successfully order online. It is important the students have these experiences as they prepare their transition into independent living.
There were many lessons learned from this CBI. The first lesson was that even though you practice something, it does not always work out the way you planned. The second lesson was patience. Several students had drivers with many orders which prolonged the delivery time.
The HDS Foundation is proud of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they continue to practice their life skills of Budgeting, Independence, Growth, Empowerment and Social Skills. Stay tuned this week as the students meet with Luke Wilson from FND to continue discussing about Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination!
Highlighting Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program
The HDS Foundation supports many programs to help teens and young adults on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) transition to their post-secondary journey. The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program is a school-based social and community life skills activities class designed to meet the needs of ASD High School Students in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program is structured in the form of a grant and encourages High School ESE Departments to create school-based programs that provide opportunities year-round for Social, Independence, Community and Personal Development to teens who have Developmental Disabilities. The recipients of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Grant can accomplish this by incorporating various community based-field trips to local businesses who provide potential future employment, life skills development initiatives such as establishing bank accounts, shopping opportunities, and learning about transportation options.
Social skills also play a key component to the BRIDGES Program. Students are encouraged during the school year to participate in Homecoming, Football Games, Prom, and many other social activities.
The Grant is structured as an annual application, available by mid to late January of each year. Schools must submit the grant request by June 15th, and the Foundation will award it by July 15th. The Grant maximum is $5,000 per school year; it is disbursed with part of the funds awarded at the student level. This process creates an exclusive learning opportunity for shopping, eating out, etc. which are vital to the budgeting component of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program.
To apply for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. GRANT, please visit our website at:
https://www.hdsfoundation.org/program-a-building-bridges-at-the-bay/
For more information, please contact Liz Falk, HDS Foundation, Program Manager at liz@hdsfoundation.org or call-954-217-9597, ext. 260.
Autism Awareness Month
It’s Autism Awareness Month- Let’s Light It Up Blue! In 2007, the United Nations recognized April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day to raise awareness for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). About 1 in 54 children have been identified with ASD according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network.
This year, HDS Companies will be celebrating virtually as our employees come together to wear blue and pins that include messages supporting Autism Awareness. Be a part of our celebration by wearing something blue on April 2nd and tag @hdsfoundation in your selfies so we can reshare. We will also be highlighting our programs that help individuals with ASD become successfully independent. Be sure to stay tuned on our social media!
Want to find out how you can support the HDS Foundation? You can help with just a click of your finger.
Did you know that Amazon offers a sister website, AmazonSmile, that includes all of the same items, prices, and benefits PLUS donations? When you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5 % of the total purchase to the charity of your choice at no extra cost to you. All you have to do is sign on through AmazonSmile.com and select the HDS Foundation as your charity of choice. From there, any purchases made through AmazonSmile will donate a small proceed to our nonprofit.
Let’s Shine A Light on Autism Awareness!
Wings of Friendship
Friendship was the topic of last week’s Community Based Instruction (CBI) with the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students! Special Guests Robb Armstrong and Samantha Novick from the Wings of Friendship, a non-profit organization, attended the class to educate the students about their program. Wings of Friendship brings together individuals of all abilities through equitable opportunities and lasting friendships. The Friendship Journey provides inclusive programs that foster relationships through their Virtual Hangout and Summer Camp Programs.
Miguel, a former alumnus of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class, attended the CBI where he shared his experience at the Wings of Friendship. Some of his favorite activities were trivia, art, virtual field trips and beatboxing.
Samantha and Rob focused on the benefits of making new and lasting friendships in the Virtual Hangouts and Summer Camp. To keep students engaged, Samantha and Robb asked the class what qualities they thought would make a good friend. Some of the responses were someone who is trustworthy, someone they share interests with, and someone who is enjoyable to be around.
Students not only have the option to join the Wings of Friendship at no cost but can also sign up to volunteer and earn service hours. Catherine was very interested in serving as a volunteer!
The HDS Foundation wants to give a special thanks to Samantha Novick and Robb Armstrong for taking the time to share more information on the Wings of Friendship organization and how students can get involved. Stay tuned for our next CBI activity!
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