BRIDGES Community Networking Event
Many of this evening’s sponsors have collaborated with us to facilitate these activities, programs, and information critical to these families. We want to continue to create awareness about what these types of programs can provide, and the impact to this emerging population. It takes partnerships created through awareness to address this need, and a community to support it!
Please join us at the Midtown Athletic Club MCafe in Weston for a community fundraiser and networking event to benefit the BRIDGES Program. Also, take advantage of some great silent auction items available to purchase during the evening.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: January 26, 2017 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location: Midtown Athletic Club’s M Café | 2300 Royal Palm Boulevard | Weston FL 33326
Tickets: $25 Per Person- Purchase through Eventbrite (Click on TICKETS button)
Team Cypress Bay Top Fundraiser at 2017 DMF Walkabout Autism
Each year since inception, the HDS Foundation has been a part of this event. Originally fundraising as the coveted “HDS Hackers”, our attention shifted when we realized that our efforts could not only help the DMF Walk but also, the local high school’s ESE Program. It was then that the HDS Foundation partnered with Cypress Bay High School to create Team Cypress Bay, and collaborate on fundraising efforts.
The beauty of the DMF Walkabout is that it provides a direct opportunity for a K-12 School’s ESE Team to become the direct beneficiary of 25% of the funds they raise. This allows the school to utilize these funds to buy equipment, supplies, and utilize for activities that support the programs that benefit this population of students. Cypress Bay High School’s team has raised thousands of dollars for the past several years, and this year, we are so proud that they once again are the #1 fundraising team, with $8,300 raised! One of this year’s captain’s Jeffrey Schour led the way, and engaged many of his peers at the Bay top once again make this event a success. Team Cypress Bay received many donations, most notably to the team as a whole, and with high achieving fundraising performed by Jeffrey Schour, Samantha Burns, The HOPE Club (who showed up in large numbers to support their peers, Donna Mansolillo, and former Cypress Bay alum student Katherine Gilson-Miranda, who attended virtually via Facetime. Now that’s a first!!
The leadership this team showed was inspiring, as we know these students worked very hard to make this event a success. The collaboration of other CBHS students was especially touching, as this has been one of our goals. We were delighted to have many family members also join the walk, and participate in this year’s activities. Special shout out to teachers/facilitators Donna Mansolillo and Kathy Gorman-Gard, Dr. Sandy Rizzo Weiner, Carla Otiniano and Meagan Caruso.
Go #TeamCypressBay!
Holiday Luncheon and Secret Elf 2017
On December 15th, the students of Cypress Bay High had their annual Holiday Luncheon and Secret Elf gift exchange. The wonderful luncheon took place at Chili’s for a second year. The HDS Foundation staff was able to join the classes festivities. The students picked out meals under $10 to purchase for themselves, and some chose to get a delicious desert as well. All throughout the meal, the students, teachers, and HDS Foundation crew engaged in great conversations, allowing the students to practice social communicative skills. When drinks, food, and checks were brought to the table, the students practiced more social skills by thanking the waitresses bringing everything out.
The Secret Elf exchange was, for most of the students, the best part of lunch. For Secret Elf, each student was given a list of items they could be gifted, and they selected their preferred gifts so that the total was under $10. They each put their names on the wish-lists, and the lists were shuffled in a hat and redistributed. They then went to A.C. Moore to pick out the presents for their Secret Elf, and paid for them, allowing them to further the social skills needed to maneuver around a store. They chose the wrapping for their presents, some in fun bags with colorful tissue, others wrapped with fun paper. They each also wrote a card to their Secret Elf, so their Secret Elf would know who had gifted them the present. When the time came to open up the presents, everyone was thrilled to have received what they wanted. They focused on saying thank you to the person that had given them their gift, and appreciating the gifts they had received.
In addition to receiving their Secret Elf gifts, the students and teachers received a gift from HDS Foundation, and as a special thank you to the teachers. Carla Otiniano the Program Manager gave a wonderful speech, thanking the teachers for their amazing work and letting the students know how amazing it has been working with them. Everyone had a great time opening and appreciating their gifts, and conversation seemed to flow effortlessly among everyone who was there.
When it was time to pay, the students all calculated the tips they needed to add to the bill, helping them develop skills needed in adulthood. After everyone had payed, gotten back their cards, and thanked the waitresses, it was time to go. All in all, it was a very successful luncheon, and everyone had a great time! Thank you to Cypress Bay for a wonderful first semester this year with BRIDGES, it is incredible working with you!
THRIVE Christmas Party
College isn’t just about going to class and writing papers. The full college experience includes meeting new people, making great friends, and having a blast. Social life is an essential and fun part of college, and that is no different for the Project THRIVE students. Last December, THRIVE organized a Christmas party for students to intermingle and have festive fun.
THRIVE Students have Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or related disorders, and generally find it difficult to initiate social interactions and make connections with others. THRIVE realizes that socializing is an important aspect of college, and necessary in life. Therefore, THRIVE hosts these casual functions to promote interest in students and strengthen their ability to establish communication within and outside the THRIVE community.
The Christmas party kicked off with an amazing gingerbread house decorating contest. Everyone tried their hand at cookie construction while listening to holiday music that set the cheerful mood. The HDS Foundation is proud to have supported THRIVE by donating a variety of materials for the party. All of the students in attendance had a great time listening to music, building gingerbread houses, and eating candy in preparation for the exciting holidays that followed.
Happy holidays from THRIVE and the HDS Foundation!
Second Annual Halloween Party
October 29th marked the Second Annual Halloween Party for the Cypress Bay BRIDGES program. Both Parents and HDS Foundation staff members were invited to celebrate with the class. HDS Foundation was very happy to be invited to this party and were ready to have some fun! The event was held at Tarantella in Weston from 5:15 to 7:30 in the evening, who graciously hosted the party and served the students. Students were able to show off some newly learned skills to the HDS Foundation, and had the opportunity to dress up for the occasion.
At Tarantella, the students had the chance to use and showcase their social skills. The students all ordered meals and drinks, using effective and polite communication skills, as well as money managing skills, as they wanted to buy a well-priced meal once tax and gratuity had been added. They socialized well all throughout the meal with the students, teachers, and HDS Foundation staff, demonstrating a more casual set of communication skills. They used conversation starters to help them out at the beginning, but soon got into the conversation and were very animated in speaking and telling stories. When it came time to pay, they paid an appropriate gratuity amount and used their ATM cards, showcasing their skills in purchasing, as well as their understanding of gratuities and their importance when paying for services.
The students were also able to dress up, showing off their very distinct personalities. Costumes ranged from graphic tees showing off holiday spirit, to a spider witch, to a mobster, to a very detailed pirate. Dr. Sandy even showed up in a wolf’s head to the occasion! Seeing all the students in their costumes was truly incredible, as it showed off their very distinct and diverse personalities, personalities that also meshed so well over the party’s conversation. The costumes made the excitement for Halloween all the more real, and talk touched upon plans for trick-or-treating and candy. Which was terrific to overhear that the students were wanting to do after.
The Second Annual Halloween Party was a definite success. The students seemed to greatly enjoy this gathering, as well as participating in conversation with their classmates, teachers, and the HDS Foundation staff. The teachers spoke very highly of the party, and also seemed to truly enjoy this time to celebrate the upcoming holiday in a fun and exciting way. The HDS Foundation staff had an incredible time, and loved getting to see the skills the students had learned, and learn more about the students through conversation and through their original and diverse costumes. Everyone had an incredible time!
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