Creating Opportunities, One License Plate at a Time
Drive with purpose! When you purchase a Florida Autism License Plate, you directly support the HDS Foundation as a grant recipient helping fund vital programs for teens and young adults with Autism across Florida. Your choice makes a meaningful impact. Together, we can continue empowering students, expanding opportunities, and strengthening the communities we serve. Learn more or get your plate here: https://autismlicenseplate.com
A Season of Friendship
Our Miami-Dade students enjoyed a festive holiday outing to Olive Garden filled with food, friendship, and fun!
Before arriving, students chose their own meals, giving them a chance to practice decision-making and planning. Once there, they spent time chatting with friends and practicing social skills in a relaxed, real-world setting. From using table manners to joining conversations and sharing laughs, students had many opportunities to build confidence and strengthen peer connections.
It was a wonderful opportunity to relax, connect with friends, and share in the joy of the holiday season together.
Celebrating Friendship This Holiday Season
Last week, the students in our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. programs in Broward County enjoyed a wonderful holiday celebration at Chili’s Grill & Bar! They gathered to celebrate the holiday season together and take part in a Secret Elf & Secret Snowman gift exchange.
Students arrived with their Secret Elf and Secret Snowman gifts ready to exchange with friends. They ordered their favorite meals, spent time socializing, and shared plenty of laughs together. The highlight of the day was exchanging gifts and seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as they opened their surprises.
It was a day filled with friendship, fun, and holiday cheer!
Creating Holiday Magic Together
What a fun afternoon the students enjoyed together! First, they created personalized snow globes featuring photos of themselves inside. Students practiced decision-making as they chose decorations, arranged their designs, and selected the type of “snow” for their globes. Next, students had the opportunity to build gingerbread houses. While examples were provided for guidance, the final designs were up to them encouraging creativity and independence. After lunch, everyone enjoyed a sweet holiday treat to wrap up the afternoon. A festive experience filled with creativity, choice-making, and holiday fun!
Secret Snowman Magic
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a fun and meaningful outing this week as they visited to shop for their Secret Snowman gifts!
Students began by filling out a questionnaire about their favorite things. Each student was then assigned a classmate to shop for, with a budget of $10. They carefully selected items that matched what their classmates had written, putting thought and care into every choice.
At checkout, students practiced real-world skills by scanning, bagging, and paying for their items while making sure they stayed within budget. Back at school, they wrapped and prepared their gifts to get ready for our upcoming holiday party and gift exchange!
What a great way to build independence, practice budgeting, and spread holiday cheer!
Halloween Fun Meets Real-World Learning
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students got into the Halloween spirit with a fun and educational trip to Target! Before shopping, they practiced budgeting skills in class to plan their purchases. Working in small groups, students searched for items under $10 that included 12...
Shopping for a Cause: B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Support the Harvest Drive
Giving back while learning important life skills, that’s what our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students experienced during their recent trip to Publix to support their local Harvest Drive! Students worked in groups to find five items each to complete a Harvest Drive Box, using...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Give Back to the Community
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students recently volunteered with Hope at Miami Lakes United Methodist Church to help prepare gift bags for the upcoming Miami Lakes Pumpkin Patch event! Students worked together to fill each bag with care, practicing teamwork, responsibility,...
Smiles, Music, and Memories: A Homecoming to Remember
This weekend, our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had an unforgettable night at Homecoming! Students dressed up, danced, and enjoyed an evening full of fun, laughter, and memories. Events like these give our students a chance to practice social skills, build confidence,...
A Night of Connection, Learning, and Support for HDS Families
Thank you to everyone who joined us for HDS Foundation: Parent Connect, Learn & Support Night! A special shoutout to all the parents of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students who attended and to Nathalie Stanish, M.S., Manager of The Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation &...
Connecting Classroom Learning to Real-Life Skills
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students kicked off their Community Based Instruction Trips with a fun and educational day at the mall! After working hard at their job sites all week, students enjoyed a leisure day that put their budgeting and independent living skills into...
Empowering Independence: Real-World Budgeting Lessons for HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took a trip to Publix to put their budgeting and communication skills into action! Each student worked with an $18 budget to purchase a drink, meal, and dessert. Some headed to the deli for subs, while others explored the hot food section...
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October, HDS Foundation honors those who have bravely fought breast cancer, remembers the loved ones we have lost, and stands with the survivors whose strength inspires us all. We recognize the importance of awareness, early detection, and support for...
October marks the 80th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month
HDS Foundation proudly celebrates the many skills, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce. We honor this milestone by continuing to support inclusion, opportunity, and empowerment in our communities.
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Practice Real-World Budgeting
Today, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students went on their first Community-Based Instruction (CBI) field trip to Walmart! Their challenge was to work in teams of three and stay within a $25 budget while purchasing office supplies for their teachers. At the checkout, some...