HDS BRIDGES SUPER BOWL SOIREE

HDS BRIDGES SUPER BOWL SOIREE

February is BUZZING with positive energy at our HDS BRIDGES Broward Program! Students planned and hosted a Super Bowl LVII-themed soirée for their high school administrators and peers in the Best Buddies Program. The big football game may be on a Sunday when kids are out of school, but our exceptional HDS BRIDGES teachers threw some football into the mix during the weeks leading up to the big game. They incorporated Super Bowl into many areas of teaching life skills, such as using promotional resources, math, budgeting, and shopping. But digging deeper, sports can teach students many positive skills and life lessons that will go far beyond the classroom. In addition to the physical advantages, sports teach young people how to:

• Team Building
• Work Hard • Set Objectives
• Respect and Acceptance of Each Other
• Practice Social Skills
• Win Modestly and Lose Graciously

The students even read up on Super Bowl history, created a tally chart, predicted who would win, and purchased all of the food they served at the soirée using Publix sales flyers to catch all Super Bowl BOGOs! Everyone had a fantastic time and is ready to experience Super Bowl Sunday! Go, TEAMS Kansas City Chiefs & Philadelphia Eagles!

HDS Foundation needs your daily vote to win the 211 Broward Community Choice Award!

HDS Foundation needs your daily vote to win the 211 Broward Community Choice Award!

We are proud to share that our HDS Foundation is a Nominee for the 211 Broward, 2023 JM Family Enterprises Community Choice Award. This award is presented to a nonprofit organization that is making an impact through its Programs and Services in the lives of individuals in Broward County, Florida.  

The winner will be revealed at the 12th Annual Community Care Plan Non-Profit Awards Luncheon Presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, March 3, 2023, and will receive a $1,000 grant award. 

We need your help!  

Please vote by clicking HERE, then scroll down to our HDS Foundation’s name and logo, select it, and click “Vote” at the bottom of the page. 

You can cast your vote DAILY (you can also vote multiple times each day from different devices – i.e., phone, computer).  

All votes must be made by February 20th at 11:59 pm. 

We greatly appreciate your support! 

Thank you, 

Team HDS Foundation  

HDS  B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Become Candlemakers!

HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Become Candlemakers!

Today, as part of their Community-Based Instruction (CBI), our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the opportunity to try their hand at making candles. The team at ScentsAbility Candles, a nonprofit that offers an innovative social enterprise and serves as a source of sustainable income and life skills for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, joined the students to assist them in learning the process of candle-making. Students had to listen carefully and follow the step-by-step instructions to make their candles. The students also had a chance to use their creativity to design the inside of the candle by using various colors of sand and seashells.  

Each student had a special someone to whom they would give their candle. Daniel said he would give it to his new next-door neighbor, and Destiny said she would surprise her friend with the special gift. The students had an amazing time and did a fantastic job creating their candles! 

 

HDS BRIDGES Student & U.S. Army JROTC Lightning Battalion Cadet, Katelyn Promoted to Cadet Sergeant

HDS BRIDGES Student & U.S. Army JROTC Lightning Battalion Cadet, Katelyn Promoted to Cadet Sergeant

Katelyn is a Junior in our HDS Broward County Public High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program. She enlisted in the U.S. Army JROTC Lightning Battalion in her Freshman year to fulfill a PE required credit, but she soon came to appreciate the program’s leadership and sense of patriotism. So far, Katelyn has received JROTC Badges and Awards for the categories listed below:

• Academic Achievement
• Student Government
• LET Service
• Perfect Attendance
• Service Hours
• Personal Appearance
• Good Conduct
• Parade
• Recruiting

She has decided to continue participating in the program during her Senior year and is working hard to earn the privilege of graduating with her JROTC cord. She put forth so much effort this year that she was just promoted to Cadet Sergeant, an accomplishment of which she is incredibly proud. When Katelyn wears her uniform, she says she feels respected. Her favorite activities are doing uniform inspections and leading the class in the JROTC creed. She also values the opportunity to volunteer and participate in community parades, where she proudly carries the State of Florida flag while taking part in the festivities. The JROTC Formal Ball has so far been her favorite event.

Katelyn considers herself unique and likes vintage and retro things, like pocket watches. She likes to play with her dog Koko, explore the outdoors, watch movies, and eat at nice local restaurants in her spare time. Sushi and mochi are two of her favorite cuisine types. Additionally, she likes to bake delicacies like blueberry and apple cobblers. She considers herself unique and likes unusual vintage and retro items like pocket watches. To her family and friends, Katelyn is affectionately known as “Boss Lady!”

The entire team at the HDS Foundation congratulates Katelyn on all of her excellent achievements; we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her!

Way to go, #GirlBoss!

The Wings of Friendship Summer Camp

The Wings of Friendship Summer Camp

I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of The Wings of Friendship Summer Camp over the past 8 weeks. A virtual camp that brought together teens and young adults with varying disabilities to enjoy daily activities together. Through various partnerships within the...

Ask Eustacia – Q&A

Ask Eustacia – Q&A

Yesterday, the HDS Foundation attended the Ask Eustacia – Q&A webinar where Eustacia Cutler, Dr. Temple Grandin’s mother, presented on the topic: “How Will I Find My Way to the One Who Will Help Me Find My Way” via Zoom. Our employees and staff at HDS Companies,...

Happy National Nonprofit Day!

National Nonprofit Day, founded by Sherita J. Herling, commemorates August 17, 1894, when the Tariff Act became law and gave exemptions for charitable institutions and nonprofit organizations. Today, we celebrate National Nonprofit Day by recognizing the positive...