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My Possibilities bringing South African cuisine to Plano
By Kim Nguyen, Staff writer
My Possibilities, a non-profit charity that serves adults with special needs, will bring South African cuisine to Plano in a food- and wine-tasting fundraiser on Sunday.
Participants will spend an afternoon learning about the culture of South Africa, sampling an array of African appetizers paired with South African wines.
“We wanted to host a unique fundraiser that would sound attractive to people,” said Pam Ferrell, one of My Possibilities’ three founders. “One of the other founding moms is from South Africa, so she suggested South African cuisine and wine.”
My Possibilities is a non-profit charity for adults with cognitive disabilities, such as Autism, Down syndrome, Asperger syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome.
“It all started because I was a parent that had the need,” Ferrell said.
Ferrell’s son had “aged out” of Plano West Senior High School in 2007, meaning that the public school system would not provide education for students with special needs after the students turn 21 years old.
“I spent the next year piecing together some things for him to do while I was at work,” she said. “Then I was approached by two other moms whose sons were approaching ‘age out’ and asking me what they should do with their sons, so we got together and formed My Possibilities.”
My Possibilities is the first full-day, full-year program in Collin County for adults, who have "aged out" of secondary education, where they can build independence and pre-vocational skills in a safe and nurturing environment.
“We have 45 enrolled in the program and they all come to learn socialization, pre-vocational, leadership and independent living skills,” Ferrell said. “They all love it because they’re all around their friends.”
According to the 2006 updated census, there are more than 20,000 adults ages 20-60 in Collin County and surrounding areas with diagnosed physical and/or mental disabilities. Each year many young adults with special needs “age out” of the public school system at 21-years-old. Many of these adults have no full day activities where they can continue to be educated, socialize, gain work skills necessary to become independent. There is a significant shortage of the programs and facilities within Collin County to address this situation.
Ferrell said the goal of My Possibilities is for the adults with disabilities involved in the program to “graduate” and move on to living a more independent life.
The event will also have a silent auction with prizes ranging in value from $20-$500 such as South African gold-line pendant with emerald eyes, South African inspired handmade cards, handmade quilts, toys games. Wine baskets with combination of wine, vouchers for dinner, tickets to a movie and more.
The fundraiser will take place on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at My Possibilities, located at 1301 Custer Road, suite 616 in Plano. Suggested donations are $55. Space is limited, please RSVP via e-mail to mypossibilities@sbcglobal.net, online at www.mypossibilities.org or telephone at 469-361-1250.
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