Happenings & Stories
Mac n Cheese in a Mug!
Mac n Cheese, an all-time American favorite meal! The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had a chance this past week to participate in a 2-part activity making Mac n Cheese. In preparation for this Community Based Instruction (CBI) students had several steps to complete before...
Holiday Party
Who is my Secret Elf?....was the question the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had been thinking about for the past week! After the Community Based Instruction (CBI) to Walmart where students purchased gifts for their Secret Elf, they had to keep it a secret until the day of...
Secret Elf
“Tis the Season for Shopping” was the theme for the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. classes this past week in preparation for their holiday Secret Elf Gift Exchange. Students headed to Walmart for their Community Based Instruction (CBI) to find the perfect gift for their friends....
Ice Cream Sundae Challenge
Vanilla, chocolate or strawberry were the decisions the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had to make for their Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Publix. Students were given the challenge to decide in their individual groups what ingredients they'd want for their ice cream...
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...
Peace Mound Park
After the holiday break, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class participated in a Team Building Community Based Instruction (CBI) at Peace Mound Park, a burial ground for the ancient tribes of the Tequesta Indians. The activity was designed as a Scavenger Hunt to bring the teams...
It’s Movie Time!
What a great morning we were able to share with the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class! Today they headed out on their Community Based Instruction (CBI) to the Showbiz Movie Theater in Homestead to see the newly released movie “El Canto”. The students were so excited to be able...
Friends, Food, and Fun at the Park!
Our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a beautiful day at the park enjoying a day filled with friends, food, and fun! This was the first Community Based Instruction (CBI) for our B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and they had a great time! Students enjoyed playing soccer,...
Office Depot Challenge
Every week, the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class has their Community Based Instruction trip where students are able to practice their skills. For this CBI, the students put their budgeting skills to the test. Upon arrival, students were divided into groups of 3-4 and were handed...
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....
Mentorship Month
January is a time to recognize the great mentors who have made a difference in the lives of others. The HDS Foundation recognizes eight of our programs dedicated and respected mentors that make a positive impact each day with their students. As one of the pillars of...
I’m Lovin It!
McDonald’s Golden Arches is what the students in the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class were looking for when they went out on their first Community Based Instruction (CBI) for this school year. They were so excited to order their food using their McDonald’s Gift Card and enjoy...
Team Building at Regional Park
The B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students enjoyed a beautiful day at the park, working on team building skills. This year, facilitators Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman Gard have focused several of the Community Based Instruction (CBIs) on getting the students outside and...
Flanigan’s
Our students enjoyed a meal at Flanigan’s to celebrate before the Thanksgiving holiday. This was our first outing to a sit-down restaurant as a class. During the classes leading up to our outing, the students learned about the types of meals offered at a restaurant...
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...