Budgeting | Resources | Independent Functioning | Development | Growth | Empowerment | Social Skills
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program supports the development of school-based social and community life skills activities designed to meet the needs of ASD High School Students. Structured in the form of a grant, the Foundation 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 within this population. 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 are poised to provide potential future employment, life skills development initiatives such as establishing bank accounts, shopping opportunities, learning about transportation options, and social skills opportunities during the school year that allow for the inclusion of these students to typical high school activities such as Homecoming, Football Games, Prom, and many others. These are conduits to building better communication tools, peer mentoring, fostering friendships, and preparation for life after high school, including post-secondary.
HDS BRIDGES GRANT
The HDS Foundation provides Grant Opportunities to candidate Programs that meet the criteria of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program goals. One or more Grants may be issued per year. For more information on the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S Grant, click below.
Do you want to help strengthen our community?
Do you want to help strengthen our community? Funds raised through Give Miami Day help support our local high school B.R.I.D.G.E.S. programs. Our programs cater to the needs of students on the Autism Spectrum by providing Social, Independence, Community, and Personal...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students participate in the Office Depot Challenge!
Our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students took on the Office Depot Challenge with their teams to purchase supplies within their specified budget. Each team had to work together, communicate, and decide which items would be the best choice to keep their project within budget....
We have been chosen to participate in Give Miami Day
We have been chosen for the second consecutive year by The Miami Foundation to participate in Give Miami Day, an annual giving movement that brings together nonprofits of all sizes to celebrate and increase generosity in Greater Miami. Please join us on November 17th...
Official Bank Account Owners!
This past weekend was definitely a busy one for our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students. On Saturday morning, the students visited Bank of America with their parents as part of our Community Based Instruction (CBI) to open their first bank account. Funds from our Foundation’s...
Homecoming Week
Students in our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program participated in various activities during Homecoming Week. The students deserve so much praise for participating in Tacky Tourist, PJ Day, Favorite Sports Team, Color Wars, and Homecoming. Homecoming was attended by every...
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program Expands to Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School!
HDS Foundation had a chance to meet the students who were chosen to participate in the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class this year. We are so excited to begin our program at Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High School and look forward to the significant progress the students will...
Publix, Where Shopping is A Pleasure
As part of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program Community Based Instruction (CBI), students learn budgeting skills while they shop for goods and services. Part of the grant money our Foundation awards to the schools each year goes to purchasing gift cards. This week, our...
IT’S ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK!
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students have been going to the park for various team-building activities over the past two weeks. Together with their teammates, they overcame various obstacles, including being blinded and being directed by their partner to create as many...
Tarantella Ristorante & Pizzeria
This weekend, students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating the end of school year at Tarantella Ristorante & Pizzeria in the Weston Town Center. The students all came dressed for a night on the town and they all looked great! Once...
Celebrating the End of School Year at Japan Inn
After a great year of a variety of Community Based Instruction (CBI) fieldtrips, our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. classes enjoyed a delicious lunch at Japan Inn for their end of year luncheon! Students were given a special cooking show, as the chefs did their best to create an...