Can You Find the Clues?

Can You Find the Clues?

The Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class set out on a quest to Peace Mound Park in Weston where students enjoyed a beautiful day outside working together on a scavenger hunt.

The class was divided into teams and were given a clipboard, a pencil, and fourteen questions about the Tequesta Indians. The goal was to find the answers to these questions around the park. For example, some of the questions included: “what was the name of the Tequesta Chief?” and “until what year did the Tequesta Indians live at this site?” and so forth. This hunt was great for the students to practice their development, independence and social skills all together. Once time was up, facilitator Donna Mansolillo went over the answers to each question.

By this time, the students had worked up an appetite and were ready to enjoy some lunch. It was an eventful and educational morning to say the least! Stay tuned for our next CBI adventure.

HDS Companies Celebrates International Women’s Day

March 8th marks International Women’s Day acknowledging the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

HDS Companies and the HDS Foundation celebrates International Women’s Day highlighting all the achievements our women have accomplished.

“We should celebrate the strength, diversity, kindness, courage, work ethic and diversity of women every day, not just on March 8th. Perhaps we can carry the millions of incredible representations shared on this day throughout the year and commit to being the best version of ourselves,” says Cristina Miranda Gilson, international woman, owner and founder of HDS Companies, and CEO of the HDS Foundation (A 502(c) 3).

57% of our employees are females. Each play a major role in our success through corporate management, leadership, technical, client support, and administrative roles.

HDS Companies is an equal opportunity employer. In other words, we are a 100% women minority owned corporation in the State of Florida. For the 16th consecutive year, the HDS Companies have been recognized and certified to be the State of Florida Woman & Minority Business and a National Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them! Happy International Women’s Day!!!

Cypress Bay BRIDGES Eats More Chikin

Cypress Bay BRIDGES Eats More Chikin

Chik-Fil-A nuggs and fries? Need I say more?! The Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class headed out on their Community Based Instruction trip to Chik-Fil-A in Weston. Like many other CBI trips, students arrived, looked over the delicious menu, and decided what they wanted to eat for lunch. Once each student made their decision, they went to the register and ordered their meal. Students used their own debit cards to pay and sat down waiting for their meal to be brought to them. During this time, the class was able to enjoy socializing with one another.

It was interesting to see how each student got creative with their meals. William decided to put french fries inside his chicken sandwich. He said it tasted YUMMY! Another student dipped their nuggets in five different sauces before they ate it. The students enjoyed their meals and were happy to be able to get free refills! It was a great day for the class to practice their budgeting, independence, and social skills. The HDS Foundation loves being able to participate at each CBI and capturing these fun moments.

HDS Foundation Supports Teens in Transition

HDS Foundation Supports Teens in Transition

On Tuesday night, the HDS Foundation took our “Toolbox for Success” to Cypress Bay High School for the ESE Post-Secondary Transition Expo. This expo was geared specifically towards ESE students who are not pursuing a traditional 2- or 4-year college program upon graduation and are looking for alternatives to the traditional college route.

The HDS Foundation mission is to provide services and resources to families, while also supporting the initiatives that create independence and employments skills for students. This year’s theme is the “Toolbox for Success.” The toolbox includes a variety of tools that represent important factors for students to be successful. For example, the drill represented parents and family; the wrench represented support systems; the hammer represented self-advocacy, and so on.

The HDS Foundation provided folders, pins, totes, and an abundance of resources for parents and their children. The folders were illustrated by the Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class where each student drew a picture that represented what they would like to pursue as their post-secondary journey. As parents arrived, folders and totes were handed out for them to gather information from each vendor. The pins that were created were used to represent the tools that went inside the toolbox of success. These were handed out to children while HDS staff member, Natalie Stevenson, explained what each tool symbolized.

As parents stopped by the table, HDS Foundation staff member, Liz Falk, proceeded to explain the different resources we had to offer. It was shocking to hear how many parents did not know about the different options they had for their child. One young mother came up to the table and made a statement that resonated with us. She stated, “How can I ask any questions, if I don’t know what there is out there or what to ask?” In other words, there are not a lot of resources that are readily available about transitioning from high school to post-secondary. However, this transition expo was an eye opener for her, giving her the opportunity to learn more about the options she now has for her child but didn’t know before.

Overall, this was a successful event for the HDS Foundation, parents, and Cypress Bay High School. Many parents became more aware of resources that are available for them to help their child succeed.

The HDS Foundation will soon have the resources page available for you!

Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Visit Lucille’s American Cafe

Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Visit Lucille’s American Cafe

Last week, the Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class took a trip to Lucille’s American Café for their educational CBI. The students were able to enjoy a delicious lunch together, while also practicing their day to day skills of budgeting, independence and socialization. At this outing, students ordered their lunch, calculated gratuities, and shared their adventure stories with each other from the long weekend.

HDS Foundation staff member and CBHS facilitators engaged with the students while eating and shared some memorable conversations with them. One of the conversations was about how four of the students all ordered chicken tenders and called themselves the “Chicken Tender Club”. Another conversation included how surprised Nicholas was when he received his Mac and Cheese dish filled with extra cheese. You bet he enjoyed every spoonful!

These weekly CBI experiences continue to reinforce important lifelong skills for these students. It’s learning experiences, such as this, that will help these students live independently in the future.

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