Music has often been called a universal language, and that remains true for our staff and participants in Day Services at Goodwill’s James O. Wright Center for Work and Training (JOW) in Milwaukee. Whether they are playing instruments, dancing and moving during our adaptive fitness classes, or belting out their favorite standards during our karaoke contests, Day Services clients are drawn to the rhythms and lyrics of rock, R&B, jazz, pop, classical and gospel music. For our staff, music is a way to share common interests and engage participants with disabilities regardless of physical, cognitive or communication barriers in meaningful programming.
One of our most popular and successful musical programs is the Day Services Inspirations Choir. Directed by Recreation Assistant Kimbly Gipson, the choir was established in 2013 to showcase the abilities and dedication of the Day Services staff and participants. Many of our current members have been singing with the group since its inception, but Kimbly and the choir are always happy to welcome budding vocalists. The choir meets twice a week at JOW to rehearse their catalog of songs, which include popular rock, R&B and gospel classics. They have performed at various locations around the community and have delighted audiences at local shopping centers, nursing homes and Goodwill programs in southeastern Wisconsin.
The choir performed most recently here at JOW in Café 1919 on Friday, March 16. Day Services Program Director Jane Kirchhoff introduced the choir and provided the audience of Goodwill employees, family members, caretakers and program participants with a history of the choir and a tribute to the group’s hard work over the years. The choir members, dressed in their brightly-colored spring ensembles, sang some of their favorite songs including “God Sent a Rainbow,” “Stand by Me” and “I Believe I Can Fly.” Their dedication to learning songs, choreography and cues from their director was very apparent throughout the entire concert. The audience also was treated to an incredible vocal performance by Kimbly and her talented children Antoine, Jasmine, Shanice, James Jr., Jaquayo and Yashica. At the end of the concert, Kimbly and assistant Marquita Farsee presented the entire group with certificates of achievement.
The entire Day Services team is appreciative of the power of music to create a language that may be readily understood and shared, regardless of our abilities or personal interests. We continue to be extremely proud of the hard work of our participants as we look forward to the next performances from the Day Services Inspirations Choir.
