HDS Foundation Supports Teens in Transition
On Tuesday night, the HDS Foundation took our “Toolbox for Success” to Cypress Bay High School for the ESE Post-Secondary Transition Expo. This expo was geared specifically towards ESE students who are not pursuing a traditional 2- or 4-year college program upon graduation and are looking for alternatives to the traditional college route.
The HDS Foundation mission is to provide services and resources to families, while also supporting the initiatives that create independence and employments skills for students. This year’s theme is the “Toolbox for Success.” The toolbox includes a variety of tools that represent important factors for students to be successful. For example, the drill represented parents and family; the wrench represented support systems; the hammer represented self-advocacy, and so on.
The HDS Foundation provided folders, pins, totes, and an abundance of resources for parents and their children. The folders were illustrated by the Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class where each student drew a picture that represented what they would like to pursue as their post-secondary journey. As parents arrived, folders and totes were handed out for them to gather information from each vendor. The pins that were created were used to represent the tools that went inside the toolbox of success. These were handed out to children while HDS staff member, Natalie Stevenson, explained what each tool symbolized.
As parents stopped by the table, HDS Foundation staff member, Liz Falk, proceeded to explain the different resources we had to offer. It was shocking to hear how many parents did not know about the different options they had for their child. One young mother came up to the table and made a statement that resonated with us. She stated, “How can I ask any questions, if I don’t know what there is out there or what to ask?” In other words, there are not a lot of resources that are readily available about transitioning from high school to post-secondary. However, this transition expo was an eye opener for her, giving her the opportunity to learn more about the options she now has for her child but didn’t know before.
Overall, this was a successful event for the HDS Foundation, parents, and Cypress Bay High School. Many parents became more aware of resources that are available for them to help their child succeed.
The HDS Foundation will soon have the resources page available for you!
Cypress Bay B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Visit Lucille’s American Cafe
Last week, the Cypress Bay High School B.R.I.D.G.E.S. class took a trip to Lucille’s American Café for their educational CBI. The students were able to enjoy a delicious lunch together, while also practicing their day to day skills of budgeting, independence and socialization. At this outing, students ordered their lunch, calculated gratuities, and shared their adventure stories with each other from the long weekend.
HDS Foundation staff member and CBHS facilitators engaged with the students while eating and shared some memorable conversations with them. One of the conversations was about how four of the students all ordered chicken tenders and called themselves the “Chicken Tender Club”. Another conversation included how surprised Nicholas was when he received his Mac and Cheese dish filled with extra cheese. You bet he enjoyed every spoonful!
These weekly CBI experiences continue to reinforce important lifelong skills for these students. It’s learning experiences, such as this, that will help these students live independently in the future.
Super Fest – Big Game Weekend
Super Fest – an inclusive football and cheerleading clinic along with a gameday experience held the day before the Super Bowl. This event gives children the opportunity to feel a part of the football weekend. With that being said, give your child the chance to experience the excitement of the Big Game Weekend by signing up for the Annual Inclusive Super Fest!
HDS Foundation Will Be Presenting at the Cypress Bay High School ESE Post-Secondary Transition Expo
The HDS Foundation will be presenting at the Cypress Bay High School ESE Post-Secondary Transition Expo on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. This informational night is geared for ESE students who are not pursuing a traditional 2- or 4-year college program upon graduation. Come out and join us to learn more about the various options your child has after high school.
2020 Annual Employee Recognition Celebration
Speaking of celebrations, this June, HDS will Celebrate 22 years of service in our industry. Our diverse workforce has grown over 1000% from inception, and our goals for this next decade are aggressive in new technology platforms, diverse in-service opportunities, and grounded to our customer’s needs. 2020 will also kick-off a new concept for the HDS 2020 Next Gen Business & Technology Conference, where we will bring together all of our business lines, including HDS Software, eHousingPlus and the HDS Foundation. We are excited about the multiple opportunities for our business lines to present many of the advancing and emerging systems and services that are part of our Next Gen platform.
Our founder and CEO, Cristina Miranda Gilson, shared special memories as she presented each of the recipients with their Excellence in Service Milestone Award and Gifts this past Friday, January 24, 2020 at a celebratory dinner in beautiful South Florida, headquarters for the HDS Companies. Together with the HDS Management Team, each recipient was celebrated for their “commitment, the impact they had in their specific business areas, their families, and dedication not only to the company, but to the community”. Cristina declared that “each person being celebrated today is part of the fabric of who we are, and more importantly the great things that you have accomplished at the company; More importantly, your contribution has been critical to our goals, mission, vision and values. Together with the HDS Family, we proudly celebrate your anniversary!”
Here are some remarks from this years’ celebrants.
It is both an honor and a privilege to work with this extraordinary organization. I thank HDS, Cristina, and the management team for their support and for creating a culture at HDS, that celebrates and encourages us to be mission-driven professionals focused on creating and providing the best service and solutions to our clients and each other.
– Elena Miranda, VP of Business Development
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