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 [email protected] 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!
Self-Determination Skill Building
Students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class had the opportunity to participate in the “Nuts and Bolts of Self-Determination Skill Building” workshop hosted by Luke Wilson with Family Network on Disabilities (FND). The focus of the workshop was to help students learn how to develop Self-Determination and Self -Advocacy skills as they begin to transition from high school to their post -secondary journey.
Luke focused on how important it is to make your own choices and decisions, while also learning how to deal with the consequences of these decisions. Luke gave the students a new way to look at the word FAIL–First Attempt in Learning. This acronym gives students the ability to make mistakes, learn from them and then move forward.
The focus on communication skills is a key element in being able to Self-Advocate. Luke spoke to the students about how important it was for them to Self-Advocate to make their needs known to others. He also stressed that Self-Advocacy can range from a small scale of events to larger ones. Several of the students gave examples of how they could Self-Advocate for things they wanted in school.
Next, Luke spoke to the students about Self-Determination. He focused on how important this skill was as they begin to transition to their post -secondary journey. He explained that Self-Determination revolved around making choices on how to live your life, such as choosing hobbies, making plans to see friends, or picking a career path. Students participated in an interactive session where they were given different scenarios and how the students would handle them.
Luke stressed to the class to plan and set realistic expectations as they begin their transition process. He also focused on having the students engage in various life skill activities at home, such as doing their own laundry and making a meal, which will help them in the future.
A special thanks to FND, Luke Wilson for attending the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class and sharing with them some very important tips on Self-Advocacy and Self-Determination! The students worked on their Development, Empowerment and Social Skills during this Community Based Instruction.
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