GameStop and Autism Speaks® Launch NXT Gen Coders Program Aimed at Increasing Employment Opportunities for People With Autism

GRAPEVINE, Texas, April 30, 2018 -- GameStop is once again partnering with Autism Speaks^®  to help increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder. Throughout May, the video game retailer is focusing its annual in-store autism awareness campaign on raising funds for the newly launched NXT Gen Coders Program powered by GameStop and administered by Autism Speaks, aimed at increasing coding and programming skills for people with autism.

From May 1 through May 31, GameStop will host its third annual in-store autism awareness campaign with 100 percent of donations going to Autism Speaks and helping fund the NXT Gen Coders Program. This program, powered by GameStop and administered by Autism Speaks, will focus on opportunities for coding and programing skill development for people with autism, so that they may be better equipped to take advantage of the one million jobs that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates will be open in the coding industry by 2020.

With the vast majority of adults with autism unemployed or underemployed, GameStop and Autism Speaks are collaborating on the NXT Gen Coders Program to give talented young men and women a path to careers that match their training, abilities and interests.

“We are proud to continue our commitment to raising awareness and providing support to the individuals and families impacted by autism,” says Jason Cochran, senior vice president of Store Operations for GameStop. “Through our ongoing partnership with Autism Speaks and the newly launched NXT Gen Coders Program, we are taking extra steps to provide individuals with autism the job and life skills they need to help them enjoy a more fulfilling life.”

During this year’s campaign, GameStop is offering three ways guests can contribute to support people with autism:

• For the first-time, guests will have the option to donate up to 100 percent of their trade-in value to charity when they bring to GameStop their unused video game hardware, software, accessories, or consumer electronics.
• Donate $1 or more in-store or on GameStop.com and GameStop will provide triple PowerUp Rewards points on the donation amount.
• Donate PowerUp Rewards points to Autism Speaks in the PowerUp Rewards Center.

GameStop’s continued support of Autism Speaks follows several successful campaigns since the partnership began in 2016, with more than $2.4 million in donations raised to enhance the quality of life for children, adults and families impacted by autism.

“We appreciate GameStop’s generosity and commitment to the autism community,” said Autism Speaks President and CEO Angela Geiger. “Each year, 50,000 young people with autism enter adulthood, expanding a talent pool that is largely untapped. Creating employment opportunities requires innovative solutions, which is why we’re excited about the NXT Gen Coders Program.”

To find your local GameStop, visit: www.gamestop.com. To learn more about Autism Speaks, visit: autismspeaks.org.

ABOUT AUTISM
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences. We now know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most caused by a combination of genetic and environmental influences. An estimated 1 in 59 children is on the autism spectrum.

ABOUT AUTISM SPEAKS
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and support; increasing understanding and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. To find resources, join a fundraising walk or make a donation, go to www.AutismSpeaks.org.

ABOUT GAMESTOP CORP.
GameStop, the world’s largest video game retailer, offers the best selection of new and pre-owned video gaming consoles, accessories and video game titles, in both physical and digital formats. GameStop also offers fans a wide variety of pop vinyl toys, collectibles, board games and more. Through GameStop’s unique buy-sell-trade program, gamers can trade in video game consoles, games, and accessories, as well as consumer electronics for cash or in-store credit. The retailer operates thousands of locations around the world under the GameStop, EB Games and Micromania retail brands. Fans can find their local GameStop store using the company’s online store locator tool.

To get the latest news on video gaming and gear, follow GameStop on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. GameStop, EB Games, and Micromania are part of GameStop Corp. (NYSE:GME), a global specialty retailer that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple.

Media Contacts:
Autism Speaks
Aurelia Grayson
(646) 385-8531
[email protected]

GameStop Corp.
Martha Sotelo
(817) 424-2099
[email protected]