Best Buddies Organization
“Best Buddies are the family we choose for ourselves.” – Best Buddies Organization
National Homeownership Month
National Homeownership Month, celebrated each June, honors the American dream of owning a home. It recognizes the importance of homeownership in providing stability, building wealth, and fostering community. This month highlights programs and policies that support homebuyers, especially those from underserved communities, helping more people achieve the joy and benefits of having a place to call their own.
HDS Foundation Hosts the Inaugural We R.I.S.E for Autism Golf Classic, Presented by HDS Companies in Support of the Autism Community
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – HDS Foundation (HDSF) successfully hosted its inaugural We R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic at Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation, renowned as South Florida’s premier semi-private golf facility. The tournament was Presented by HDS Companies, the leading provider of diverse business solutions and professional technical services for the Affordable Housing and Community Development industries.
Participants were treated to an exciting day of competition on the green. They enjoyed an exquisite lunch generously provided by PDQ restaurants (People Dedicated to Quality) and received the Official Inaugural Tournament Shirt, courtesy of The P5 Group. The competitive spirit soared during thrilling contests like Beat the Pro and Putting Green. As the sun set on a day filled with golfing excitement, golfers and guests gathered for an awards ceremony and a delicious dinner, where the lucky winners of the raffle drawings and silent auction were announced.
Community leaders came together to acknowledge their ongoing support of Autism acceptance and inclusion through the programs HDSF funds with the grants it awards. Broward County Mayor Nan Rich and the City of Plantation Councilman Louis Reinstein presented the HDSF with Proclamations designating April 26, 2024, as HDS Foundation R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic Day in Broward County and the City of Plantation.
The HDS Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors for their invaluable contributions to the resounding success of the We R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic. The tournament would not have been possible without the generous support of HDS Companies, The P5 Group, Friends of the HDS Foundation, Nighthawk Trucking, PDQ, Risk Management La Rocca & Associates, NorthStar Financial Planners, The Miranda Family, The Denihan & Athey Families, The Sotolongo Miranda Family, Grove Bank & Trust, Infinity Dreamspace, The Graham Companies, Clear Channel Outdoor, The Dan Marino Foundation, CAPTRUST & the Stephen H. Schott Family, Ana Maria & Mark Gordon, The Moffitt Family, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, CauseMo Marketing, PepsiCo, Double Eagle Distributing, SLR Photography, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Plantation Police Department.
To learn more about the HDS Foundation, please visit HDSFoundation.org.
About HDS Foundation
The HDS Foundation, Inc., a 501 © 3 Non-Profit Organization, is the driving force behind the numerous charitable efforts of HDS Companies and Founder and CEO Cristina Miranda Gilson, who serves as HDSF President and Chairman. The Foundation encapsulates Cristina’s passion for supporting the Autism Community through collaborations that bring together programs and resources, as well as HDS Companies’ commitment to pursuing corporate social responsibility initiatives in the communities in which we live, work, and learn. The Foundation’s primary mission is to provide resources for families and organizations that Mentor, Teach, Develop, and Support individuals on the Autism Spectrum and beyond.
ABOUT HDS COMPANIES
Founded in 1998, Housing and Development Services (HDS Companies), through its two business divisions, Housing and Development Software and eHousingPlus, is the leading provider of diverse business solutions and professional technical services in the U.S. Affordable Housing and Community Development Marketplace. HDS has collaborated with more than 230 State and Local Agencies throughout the continental United States and has remained on top of its game for the last 25 years. To learn more about HDS Companies, please visit HDSCompanies.com.
MEDIA CONTACT: Liz Falk
954.217.9597 | elizabeth.falk@hdsoftware.com
City of Plantation Proclamation at HDS Foundation – We R.I.S.E. for Autism Day!
We would like to thank the @cityofplantation Florida Council Member and @plantationlouis for supporting the Autism Community and presenting us with the City of Plantation Proclamation designating April 26, 2024 as HDS Foundation – We R.I.S.E. for Autism Day!
Broward County Proclamation for HDS Foundation R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic Day!
We would like to thank the @browardcountylife and Mayor Nan Rich for supporting the Autism Community and presenting us with the Broward County Proclamation designating April 26, 2024 as HDS Foundation R.I.S.E. for Autism Golf Classic Day!
Teachers & Mentors Appreciation Week
As part of the 2023 Teacher & Mentor Appreciation Week, the HDS Foundation team is honoring the dedication of our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. and College Mentors Program teachers and mentors, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to ensure the success of our...
Celebrating Student Achievements
Imagine…Believe…Achieve! Congratulations to all of the students for their accomplishments this year. We are so proud of you! April is Autism Acceptance Month. Be Aware. Be Kind. Be Understanding. We would like to celebrate the following students for their...
iCode – Empowering Future Innovators
Today, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students embarked on their weekly Community-Based Instruction (CBI) field trip to iCode, an interactive STEM Education Learning Center that provides coding and STEM instruction led by instructors for children from kindergarten to 12th...
HDS Companies Software Developer
During this week's HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S Career Series, Alejandro Clavelo, a Software Developer at HDS Companies, shared his career path from college to employment with the class. Initially aspiring to become an astronaut during his youth in Cuba, he dreamed of one day...
B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students Enjoy the Best Burgers in Town!
For students with autism spectrum disorder and related abilities, socializing and participating in everyday activities can be challenging. That is why our HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trips are so important. Recently, our students enjoyed...
Dedicated Service Through Teamwork
The HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students headed to the local fire department for their Community Based Instruction (CBI) field trip. This CBI gave the students the opportunity to learn about what it entails to work in this field of helping others in the community when in...
Discovering the Beyond
During their Career Series this month, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students were able to connect with special guests, Sean Dunne, who serves as the Resources Management Officer (RMO) in the Exploration Research and Technology Group at Kennedy Space Center, and Dean Reges,...
Reaching the Special Needs Community Through the Arts.
During the 2023 Career Series, the HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students had the privilege of meeting Gustavo Padrino, the Community Engagement Manager at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Gustavo shared his journey from college to employment and explained how he...
HDS Foundation Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month
More than 50 years have passed since the first National Autism Awareness month was observed in the United States in April 1970. This month's events are meant to increase understanding of Autism and promote the inclusion of those who fall within the Autism Spectrum. ...
A Special Guest Visits the B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Students
HDS B.R.I.D.G.E.S. students and facilitators warmly welcomed Kate Gilson Miranda, a Junior Board Member of the HDS Foundation, who served as a guest speaker during the Career Experience Series. Kate was delighted to tell them about her personal journey, from high...