HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Enjoy Lunch at their Local Panera Bread Cafe

HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Enjoy Lunch at their Local Panera Bread Cafe

The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Community-Based Instruction (CBI) outings that we host in collaboration with our local high school partners are much more than purely educational. They are an opportunity for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other abilities to feel part of their community and enjoy all of the benefits and experiences that come with visiting local establishments with their peers. 

Through these experiences, they practice money management, budgeting, food selection, and socializing. These skills cannot be taught in a traditional classroom environment, as creating real-life scenarios would only provide part of the experience. That is why the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S.  program frequently takes students on CBIs where they can practice socializing, managing budgets, and other such skills that can easily be taken for granted by those not affected with Autism.   

This week our students visited a local Panera Bread Bakery Café. Students ordered a drink, a meal, and dessert on their own. They used their Bank of America Debit Cards to pay independently. Once their order was completed, they had to wait for it to be ready and grab their food at the pick-up counter.  Those that purchased fountain drinks had the opportunity to practice using the self-serve drink dispenser. The students truly enjoyed their delicious lunch and the chance to socialize with their classmates.  

It’s experiences like these that make our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Programs so successful! 

 

 

HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Create Wood Designs

HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Create Wood Designs

Students from our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Program visited Board & Brush Creative Studio as part of their Community-Based Instruction (CBI). They each had an opportunity to use their imagination to create a personalized wood design. Various stencils, including those with different gaming controls, travel-related themes, initials, and automobiles, were designs the students had chosen to use for this activity. The students put on their work aprons and prepared to start as soon as they arrived at the studio. Before beginning the project, students followed a few fundamental wood design steps. First, they had to distress the wood with a hammer, sand the sides to ensure they were smooth, and pick a backdrop color before they could start painting the wood. The students then had to use their stencil design by sticking it to the piece of wood, painting over it, and then gently removing it. To properly remove the stencil while preserving the design required much patience. The students also enjoyed a break having lunch together and socializing with their friends. Each student left the CBI proud of what they had created and eager to hang it in their rooms. What a wonderful experience and fantastic opportunity to put Resources, Development, Growth, Empowerment, and Social Skills into practice.

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! 

 

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