Happenings & Stories
Mission BBQ
Who doesn’t love barbeque food? Students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program enjoyed a delicious barbeque lunch at Mission BBQ for their Community Based Instruction (CBI). Each student had to order their own meal, deciding whether they wanted chicken, beef or pork. After...
Teamwork is the Key to Success!
Teamwork makes the Dreamwork! Students walked together to a local park and enjoyed being outside as they participated in several team building activities. As students chose their partner for the first activity, one was blindfolded and the other one had to give...
Substitute vs. Supported Decision Making with FND
Substitute Decision Making to Supported Decision Making was the topic of discussion with Family Network on Disabilities: Ally Walford and the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students! The discussion began about the difference between Substitute Decision-Making vs. Supported Decision...
National Nonprofit Day
As we celebrate National Nonprofit Day, we take the time to recognize the immense effort nonprofits and charities put into serving their communities. Today, HDS Companies shines a light on our Foundation, a 501©3 nonprofit that was founded in 2008. The primary focus...
Highlighting Our College Mentors Program!
The HDS College Mentors Program strives to identify the peripheral needs of students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder or related disabilities, who are seeking a College Degree and are living at a University or College Campus. The Program focuses on the guidance...
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...
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...
Mentorship Month
In honor of National Mentoring Month, HDS Foundation would like to shine a light and highlight Dr. Tara Rowe, Co-founder of the University of North Florida’s Transition to Healthiness, Resourcefulness, Independence, Vocation, and Education (THRIVE) Program. Dr. Rowe...
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas especially for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class! COVID can’t stop us from spreading holiday joy. Every holiday season our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students participate in their class secret elf exchange which we were still able to make happen...
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned
Money, Money! It’s that time a year when the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students get to experience opening their first bank account at the local bank. Students and their parent(s) drove to the local Bank of America on a Saturday morning where they got their accounts set up. They...
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween! Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a ghouling good time as they became architects constructing their own haunted houses. Each student was put into a group and were given the following ingredients: gingerbread cookies, icing & candy to begin their...
Welcome Back to School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Class!
We are happy to welcome back the students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class for the 21-22 school year! After a year and a half of virtual learning, we are ready to get back out in the community and experience in person Community Based Instructions (CBI). Our HDS Foundation...
End of the Year Celebration for our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
Friends, Food & Fun! The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students were finally able to spend an evening together celebrating the End of the School Year! We even had a surprise visit from several of the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. alumni who came to reconnect with current classmates....
Highlighting Our S.A.P. Program!
The HDS Foundation Social Activities Program (S.A.P.) is a customized, social and life-skills program designed to enhance the lives of young adults who are attending a college or university, living in the dorms or partially independent housing. The program aims to...
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...
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Gardeners!
From little seeds, grow mighty trees – Here come the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Gardeners! Last week, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. program had the opportunity to participate in a virtual gardening experience with their classmates! A week prior to the Community Based Instruction (CBI),...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Hammer Away!
Last Friday, our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Builders were back at work, but this time they were building a toolbox! Students came prepared with safety googles, nails, glue wood pieces ready to hammer away. We have never seen them more excited! As facilitators Kathy Gorman-Gard...
Weston Diner
A delicious meal was on the minds of our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students as they went out on their Community Based Instruction (CBIs) to the Weston Diner. Students were able to decide if they wanted to order brunch or lunch at the restaurant. The purpose of this CBI was to...
Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza
Pepperoni, mushrooms, and cheese! The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed their first outdoor eating Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza! Prior to the CBI, facilitators Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman-Gard discussed with students about...
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...
Family Network on Disabilites Q&A with B.R.I.D.G.E.S.
Throughout the school year, Luke Wilson from Family Network on Disabilities (FND) hosted several workshops for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students. The workshops the class attended virtually were: Internet Safety and Nuts & Bolts of Self-Determination. Both sessions were...
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...
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...
Presidents Day 2021
HDS Elves at Work to Spread Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!
If this crazy, unpredictable, and difficult year has taught us anything, it has reminded us how grateful and fortunate we all are. This holiday season, the HDS Companies has chosen to support Children’s Harbor, a foster care organization whose mission is to keep...