DMF Block Party Recap
As National Autism Awareness Month comes to a close, we joined The Dan Marino Foundation (DMF) in support of their Pedal for Autism Fun Ride, and the 2nd Annual DMF Autism Awareness Block Party, brought to you by HDS Companies. The event brought together over one hundred cyclists with the message of Autism Awareness and Inclusion, as well as community resources that provide services for individuals living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Organizations and companies such as the Autism Society of Broward County, UM-NSU CARD, Broward County Libraries, CARD, Artists with Autism, Walgreens, Big 1059, and Made in Broward hosted booths at the resource fair. During the event, City of Fort Lauderdale District 2 Commissioner, Steve Glassman presented Mary Partin, CEO at DMF with a Proclamation recognizing National Autism Awareness Month. Marino Campus Students and Alumni had a great time interacting with each other, and event participants during the celebration.
The Dan Marino Foundation’s mission of “Empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities,” aligns with the HDS Foundation’s mission, “To provide mentoring services and opportunities to Teens and Young Adults who have Autism-related disabilities.” The Dan Marino Foundation, a non-profit organization was established by Miami Dolphins Alumni Quarterback, Dan Marino and his wife Claire, who were motivated by their experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. For over 27 years, the Foundation has been a leader in innovation and change. The DMF has raised more than $75 million to create unique and impactful initiatives in the community. Among these first-of-their-kind initiatives are the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center, the Marino Autism Research Institute, Marino Adapted Aquatics, Summer STEPS Employment Programs, Virtual Interactive Training Agent Program (ViTA-DMF), and now post-secondary programs at both Marino Campus in Broward and at FIU in Miami-Dade.
HDS Companies has been a supporter of The Dan Marino Foundation for over ten years. Like the Marino Family, our Founder and CEO, Cristina Miranda Gilson, was motivated to give back to the Autism Community by her experiences raising her daughter Kate who is on the Autism Spectrum. Inspired by Kate’s journey, Cristina and her daughter Meagan founded the HDS Foundation. We are committed to supporting organizations who are working to mentor, teach and support, thereby enriching the lives of individuals with ASD. HDS Companies didn’t just sponsor the DMF Autism Awareness Block Party, Cristina Miranda Gilson together with our HDS Foundation Board Directors, Meagan Bouscher, Kate Gilson Miranda, Paloma Miranda, and Elena Miranda, joined our workforce volunteer group, the HDS Contenders and our HDS ASDY-Tech Team who we employ and are graduates of the DMF MOS Certificate Program and together, we volunteered at Game, Art, and Resource stations throughout the day. Supporting community events such as the DMF Block Party and the Pedal for Autism FUN Ride–initiative helps create opportunities for young adults on the Autism Spectrum. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with DMF to bring greater awareness and support to the South Florida ASD community.
Autism Awareness @DMF 2019 – FB Post
The HDS Foundation spent the last days of Autism Awareness Month celebrating at the Dan Marino Foundation Pedal for Autism Block Party at their main campus in Fort Lauderdale this past Sunday. Families were able to come out and connect with others, participate in games, listen to music, eat good food and #Pedalforautism. HDSF helped to sponsor and exhibit during their ride and fitness expo, along with many other organizations in our community who hold this cause near to their heart 🧩😎🚲🎉#hds4autism #hdsf #dmf #pedalforautism Dan Marino Foundation Rixys Alfonso Walgreens Made in Broward
Tropical Nights 2019 – FB Post
Great Night, Great Cause, Great People 💃🏻💙🎉🧩
UM-NSU CARD
#tropicalnights #umcard #nsucard #hds4autism
Visions XXVI – FB Post
Learning about new programs and resources and making connections across the state! This week, the HDS Foundation has the privilege of attending the Visions XXVI Transition Planning conference in St Augustine FL, along with UNF THRIVE and many other organizations and educational institutions. We’re excited to “Chart the Course” with people doing so much for our community for individuals with Disabilities in Secondary and Post Secondary Transition! #cec #dcdt #visions2019 #autism #hdscontenders#thrive
Miami-Dade County Autism Awareness Month Kick Off “My Journey to Independence”
To commemorate Autism Awareness Month, HDS Companies was invited by Miami-Dade County’s District 12th Commissioner, Jose “Pepe” Diaz, and The Dan Marino Foundation to participate in the Miami-Dade County Autism Awareness Month Kick-Off “My Journey to Independence” Ceremony and Resource Fair. Our HDS Contenders and ASDY-Tech team hosted a Resource Booth at the Fair and had the opportunity to meet and greet with event goers who visited the Stephen P. Clark Government Center throughout the day.
In addition to HDS, various organizations from Miami-Dade Counties participated in this Resource Fair. Those organizations include The Dan Marino Foundation, FIU Embrace, UM-NSU CARD, Miami-Dade Libraries, Vocational Rehabilitation, Bryans Art, South Florida Autism Center, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the 4th largest school district in the nation. We lined the lobby at the Government Center, while elected officials, staff, law enforcement officers, and members of the Miami Community walked through the Fair obtaining vital information about Autism Spectrum Disorder.
At 11:30 am, everyone gathered for the official ceremonies. First to speak was Miami-Dade County Mayor, Carlos A. Gimenez, who talked about Autism Awareness Month and how his family has personally been impacted as his oldest grandchild was diagnosed with Autism. He also spoke about a new Super Heroes Playground that will be opening at Tamiami Park at the end of April. This playground is going to be one of the first in the nation solely dedicated to kids and adults on the Autism spectrum. Following the Mayor, Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz thanked everyone for attending the event and thanked the building management for “Lighting It Up Blue” by adding blue lighting to the lobby. Commissioner Diaz also spoke about Autism and the importance of the Resource Fair for families to be able to obtain crucial resources.
Armando Luis, a Marino Campus Hospitality Student, served as keynote speaker. He spoke about his journey to independence and how the programs and services he has received from The Dan Marino Foundation have changed his life for the better. After being diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2, and having speech and occupational therapy, he feels that the most beneficial assistance has come from the Foundation’s Marino Campus. Piano prodigy Jacob Vasquez, an eleven-year-old musician with PDD-NOS (a form of autism), and a showman to the fullest extent of the word was next to present. He enthusiastically performed two Chopin songs.
The ceremony concluded with Miami-Dade County Commissioners, Chairwoman Audrey Edmonson, District 3, Vice-Chair Rebeca Sosa, District 6, Commissioner Barbara Jordan, District 1, Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, Commissioner Sally Heyman, District 4, Commissioner Eileen Higgens, District 5, Commissioner Xavier Suarez, District 7, Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, District 8, and Commissioner Dennis Moss, District 9 assembling a “Hope the Blue Robot” Puzzle Piece that spelled out Autism Awareness. The piece was donated by The Dan Marino Foundation and was created by Miami Wynwood District artist, Caro Tejada.
This event offered an opportunity for our newly formed ASDY-TECH team to present on behalf of HDS Companies and share how our philanthropic efforts through the HDS Foundation are making a difference for the autism community. It also served as a platform to generated awareness of the services ASDY-TECH provides in a public forum. Our HDS Contenders were gracious to be able to participate in this year’s Resource Fair, and are looking forward to future community events.
For more information on how you can become an HDS Contender, visit our website at HDSFoundation.org or send us an email at info@hdsfoundation.org.
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