October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). That is an annual awareness campaign to educate the public about disability employment issues and celebrate the many contributions of America’s workers with disabilities.
Goodwill celebrates this month with a variety of fun and educational activities. One of the most anticipated events that Goodwill holds, in cooperation with the Milwaukee Office for Persons with Disabilities, is the TAP the Potential Fashion Show which has been taking place for many years. This year’s show took place on Friday October 25 at the Wil-O-Way Underwood building that houses our Community Opportunities Club North in Wauwatosa.
This event has become so popular that extra chairs had to be put out as throngs of guests arrived. In fact, as the show started, there was standing room only! The show has grown from having only 20 models to now having 50 models. Participants from Goodwill Adult Day Programs as well as other day programs in the Milwaukee area, including Easter Seals, Adult Day Services of Southeast Wisconsin, and the Milwaukee Center for Independence, work tirelessly to create one-of-a-kind outfits they can wear proudly as they strut their stuff down the runway.
Over the years, there have been many amazing themes including Four Seasons of Fashions, Heroes and Villains and Fashion Through the Decades. The theme chosen for 2019 was Ghouls and Jewels. Our staff and participants were challenged to create costumes that fall under the themes of “ghouls,” “ghouls wearing jewels,” or “jewels.” Our 50 models dressed in a variety of costumes from ghosts, witches and werewolves, to zombie beauty queens, ghost prom and vampire super models, as well as prom king and queen, masquerade ball and bridesmaids!
All costumes were purchased from Goodwill Store & Donation Centers which helps support our mission of providing training and supportive services to individuals with disabilities, as well as recycle clothing and accessories.
This event offers fun, skill-building activities for participants and gives our community the opportunity to see what day services programs have to offer. Participants get the chance to express themselves through clothing and the creation of their costumes, help adhere to the designated budget, and work as a team to coordinate their outfits. This also gives Goodwill an amazing opportunity to partner with other agencies in the area and celebrate the contributions of these individuals.
This year’s event was one for the books. All models, participants, volunteers, guests and staff had a wonderful time cheering on our models as they walked down the runway. Many people are already asking about the theme for next year and participants have been requesting to be models in the next show. Thank you to our community partners for your help and commitment to celebrating this wonderful event. We cannot wait for next year!
