DCDT Visions XXIV Conference
This year, the HDS Foundation and some of its Board Members are very excited to be traveling to sunny St. Petersburg, FL to attend the DCDT Visions XXIV Conference from May 3-May 5, at the Sirata Beach Resort and Convention Center. There, we will be attending informative sessions and connect with others to learn more about the different career and transition programs and opportunities that are available.
If you are also attending, please stop by our booth and say hi! We look forward to making new and lasting connections to be able to provide you, and those in our programs and community, with more information and resources. To learn more about the Visions XXIV Conference, and the Division on Career and Transition, please visit Visions Annual Conference.
BRIDGES goes to Bit-by-Bit
This month, the BRIDGES students had the thrilling opportunity to visit the Bit-by-Bit Medical Therapeutic Riding Center.
Bit-by-Bit is a Therapeutic Horse Ranch that provides healing with the help of horses and promotes the independence of those in need of therapy or assistance, such as at-risk youth, the special needs population, and disabled veterans. They also mentor students as volunteers, and provide a center for community involvement. Their Hippo Therapy program consists of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology by using the horses to facilitate the various types of development.
The BRIDGES students had the opportunity to learn about these different therapies and how they used the horses to help others in each type of therapy. The students also got to take a tour of the facilities and were given the opportunity to interact with the horses and brushing them. They were so intrigued and had great questions about the ranch and horses, and the instructors were very pleased with their questions.
The students also learned about Bit-by-Bit’s recreational therapeutic horseback riding, which helps improve the well-being of individuals with special needs, especially in their quality of life. Physical, cognitive, emotional, and social improvements result from this type of therapeutic activity and those involved can compete, do it for fun, or find something in between. The students were also told about the volunteer service program in place for students. Most high school students need community service hours to graduate, and this is a great way to get hours and give back!
The best part of the day was getting to see the horses themselves. The students got to pet the horses, take pictures with them, and even brush their manes and tails. Everyone was so excited to be able to spend time with the horses, and the horses enjoyed all the love. The students and the HDS Foundation employees all had an amazing time. The day was made even more special since Carla, Dr. Sandy, and Meagan were able to attend this event.
Thank you so much to Bit-by-Bit Medical Therapeutic Riding Center for a great day and for showing us the amazing work you guys are doing! They are a great resource so be sure to check them out at: www.bitbybittherapy.org or on our website www.hdsfoundation.org/resources.
BRIDGES visits the YMCA
This April, the BRIDGES students visited the YMCA in Weston. The students had the opportunity to tour the facilities, ask questions, and even got to try out some of the gym equipment. They learned all about what working at the YMCA looks like, and all the services the Y provides to the community. The students first arrived at the YMCA and met with one of the supervisors, who gave them a general tour. They saw the basketball courts, the pool area, the gym areas and class rooms. They went into one of the gym activity class rooms and got to try out some of the equipment, like the balance trainers which were exciting. They even practiced their squats, getting a feel for the practice room. At the YMCA, they learned about different jobs and volunteer opportunities. Students can choose to volunteer with programs to help students in need by engaging in different exercise activities with them. They also learned about jobs such as cleaning staff, exercise coaches, personal trainers, and management staff. Each person has a very different role, but they are all essential in the management of the Y. The students learned about what each role entailed, and had some great questions about the roles that interested them. The BRIDGES students had an amazing day at the YMCA, and really enjoyed learning all about what the Y has to offer to the community. Thank you so much to the YMCA for hosting the students and giving them a tour of the facilities!
HDS Lights It Up Blue
April 2nd has been declared by the United Nations as World Autism Awareness Day, and April as World Autism Month. This year, the Foundation, the HDS Companies, and the employees dressed in blue to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day. To celebrate World Autism Awareness Day, Autism Speaks created the Light It Up Blue campaign in which thousands of people around the world honor the individuals and families affected by Autism. Autism is an intellectual and developmental disorder that affects the ability to communicate and interact. One in 68 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism, and more than 3.5 million individuals live with an Autism spectrum disorder.
Every year the HDS Companies and employees Light It Up Blue to support the Autism Speaks’ campaign. The Foundation also promotes Autism awareness on social media with #LightItUpBlue and the profile pictures that are updated to reflect support for the campaign. Employees take signs home to place in their front yards and/or purchase blue light bulbs which not only light up their homes in blue, but is an automatic donation to Autism Speaks. This campaign’s message is to “Shine a Light on Autism,” and HDS truly shines the light every year. The Light It Up Blue event was a success as we raised awareness and shared in spreading the message.
At HDS, we are committed to helping raise awareness for Autism and related disorders. Our founder, Cristina Miranda Gilson created the HDS Foundation inspired by the need she experienced first-hand raising a child with Autism. HDS Foundation was established to serve as the catalyst to bring resources to families with Autism and related disorders. We also partner with high schools like Cypress Bay Senior High School to create social skills classes, preparing high school students for post-secondary education. The Foundation and its program seek to identify the peripheral needs of students with ASD-related disabilities, who are looking for a college degree and to live an independent college life, furthering the Foundation’s mission aim at mentoring, achieving and living. Check out our photos below! How do you #LightItUpBlue?
College Living Experience Summer Residential Camp
The College Living Experience’s (CLE) Summer Residential Camp is a great way for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to transition from high school to post-secondary education. The students have a support system so they are not alone when they are immersed into the college experience. Students attend the residential camp for two weeks, from June 18th to July 1st . The tuition of $3,800 covers housing, activities, and meals for the two weeks, and there is a $75 application fee as well.
The application to the CLE’s Summer Residential Camp includes personal, family, and educational information, as well as short answer responses to “getting to know you” questions. The application also includes a letter of recommendation that must be completed by a professional, educator or counselor, that has worked closely with the student.
The Summer Residential Camp is also called the Summer Career Exploration because it teaches students skills they can use once they begin working, and they also learn social skills by working with a team to explore different types of work environments, and participating in daily team building activities. The various work environments allow the students to develop skills such as career readiness, self-determination, leadership and interpersonal skills, and organization and time management.
The CLE is closely partnered with local community agencies and local volunteer facilities to integrate the students not only into the workforce but into the Fort Lauderdale community. Through the agencies and volunteer placements, students will learn about customer service, proper work etiquette, and on the job duties.
College isn’t just about learning workplace skills, though, and the CLE’s summer program prepares its students for all aspects of college. Once they are finished with their service projects and trainings each day, the fun begins! Students participate in all sorts of fun activities, from exercise and sports to fun outings! These are daily group outings to enhance social skills both with their fellow students and in the workplace. They also are then presented with a variety of situations to use their social skills, including new settings. They also have the ability to reflect on their social experiences with the CLE psychologist and their focus groups every week.
Students will also importantly learn what it means to live in a college dorm. These dorms are supervised, and each student has a roommate. Students are then able and encouraged to practice practical independent living skills. They become comfortable with utilizing public transportation, managing finances, meal preparation, room organization, and hygiene routines and laundry.
The College Living Experience’s Summer Residential Camp is a very effective and supportive environment for students to immerse themselves into a college-like environment without having to be completely on their own. The HDS Foundation highly recommends the CLE Summer Residential Camp to any high school student with an intellectual or developmental disability who is interested in pursuing a post-secondary degree or joining the workforce. Best of luck to those who apply, it is sure to be an amazing experience! https://experiencecle.com/career-exploration/
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