Alliance Data Contributes $1 Million Toward My Possibilities’ Visionary Development of Educational Campus for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities
DALLAS, May 6, 2015 /3BL Media/ – Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions, announced a $1 million gift to Plano-based non-profit My Possibilities in support of the development of a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive educational campus for adults with cognitive disabilities. My Possibilities is a pioneer in vocational instruction for adults with special needs who have aged out of the public school system. From the center’s 23,000 square-foot educational facility in Plano, Texas, My Possibilities provides social, vocational, and independent living skills training and a variety of enriching programs designed to stimulate the mental and creative abilities of the center’s students, called HIPsters (“Hugely Important People”).
Alliance Data has long supported causes that are focused on providing important services that increase independence for adults with disabilities. More than 2 million students with developmental disabilities leave the U.S. public school system with little or no options for further education. The new My Possibilities campus will help fill this educational void for the special needs adults that live in North Texas. The development of this multi-phased campus concept will include a variety of educational facilities which will enable My Possibilities to better serve the needs of adults with cognitive disabilities by providing a best-in-class, post-K through 12 education environment.
My Possibilities is dedicated to empowering adults with special needs through continued education, so with the organization’s visionary campus on the horizon, Alliance Data seized the opportunity to be a ground-level partner in helping to establish initial funding for the comprehensive educational campus that will serve the growing demographic of special needs adults in the North Texas community.
“We are so thankful for Alliance Data’s leadership, continued support and belief in what we are doing at My Possibilities,” said Charmaine Solomon, chairman of the board and founder of My Possibilities. “The time is right for us to grow – and grow big; for us to continue on our path to courageously and relentlessly pursue the full untapped possibilities of our Hugely Important People, making every day count. This gift from Alliance Data will allow us to begin working toward our goal to provide our HIPsters and this growing demographic a place to continue their education after high school and better prepare them for the workforce.”
The $1 million gift was announced at the second annual My Possibilities Community Ball presented by Alliance Data earlier this month, where more than 850 guests attended at InterContinental Dallas. The Ball not only raised funds for the organization, but gave the HIPsters a chance to get dressed up and feel special for the evening – an opportunity these adults might not have had otherwise. More than $250,000 was raised through the event, almost a 100 percent increase from the prior year’s ball.
“When we were introduced to My Possibilities three years ago, it was clear their vision and the needs of North Texas families were much larger than the space they currently occupy in Plano,” said Karen Wald, senior vice president and chief of staff for Alliance Data. “My Possibilities’ bold dreams to expand their reach inspired us. “Through the programs they offer and now with this campus vision, we have a real opportunity to fill the gap of a growing need for these services. We challenge other North Texas businesses to also get behind this initiative because the business community has an obligation to do our part in supporting efforts that ensure the Metroplex remains vibrant and prosperous.”
Alliance Data’s $1 million gift will jump start the development of this unique campus that was made possible by the nonprofit’s growing relationship with UT Dallas. Since 2009, the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at UT Dallas has partnered with My Possibilities to provide more than 250 graduate students in speech and language pathology with an opportunity to train with adults who have a variety of communication and cognitive disabilities.
Since the beginning of 2015, the organization has also received support from the Communities Foundation of Texas, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Larry & Colette Young, the AMP Foundation, along with a number of other organizations and individuals that have enabled My Possibilities to raise more than $5 million for the campus’ capital campaign.
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data® (NYSE: ADS) is a leading global provider of data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and emerging technologies. An S&P 500 company headquartered in Plano, Texas, Alliance Data consists of three businesses that together employ more than 15,000 associates at approximately 100 locations worldwide.
Alliance Data’s Card Services business is a leading provider of marketing-driven branded credit card programs. Epsilon® is a leading provider of multichannel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and also includes Conversant, the leader in personalized digital marketing. LoyaltyOne® owns and operates the AIR MILES® Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program, and holds a majority interest in Netherlands-based BrandLoyalty, a global provider of tailor-made loyalty programs for grocers.
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About My Possibilities
My Possibilities is a Plano, Texas-based non-profit, charity - 501(c)(3), for adults with disabilities (Autism, Down Syndrome, Asperger’s, Prader-Willi, Head Injuries, etc.). Started in June 2008, this organization is the FIRST full-day, full-year program in Collin County for Texans, who have "aged out" of secondary education. My Possibilities helps special needs adults build independence and vocational skills in a safe and nurturing environment. To learn more, please go to www.mypossibilities.org.
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