On Friday, June 23, Day Services and Life Skills Development programs at the James O. Wright Center for Work and Training (JOW) in Milwaukee hosted their third annual Day Services Carnival. This event generates tremendous excitement from both participants and staff who look forward to the carnival throughout the spring. For the 85 participants enrolled in the two programs, this event is an opportunity to socialize with friends and Goodwill employees, sample treats and drinks, win fabulous prizes, and enjoy the beautiful summer weather. It also provides them with a fun way to develop fine and gross motor skills, math skills, and self-advocacy skills through the games, activities, and tickets earned during their participation in the carnival.
Day Services staff pitched their games and activities to participants with an enthusiasm to rival P.T. Barnum throughout the morning. Clients lined up for Pocket Pick, a game of chance in which clients reached into a curtain of pouches where they might find tickets, prizes, or even (plastic) bugs! They also competed against one another in Tailgate Toss and Lawn Darts. Some even tried their luck with floating, numbered ducks in the Quack Match game. For each attempt at a game or activity, participants earned tickets that they could exchange at several different stations. Two of our participants Barry J. and Ulicious B. did a fantastic job running the popular games Big Bowling and Ring Toss.
Our recreation assistants were a huge help throughout the carnival! They served soda and popcorn, provided face painting, helped the participants discover and document their creativity with costumes at the photo booth, and assisted participants with counting and managing their tickets so they could purchase prizes like inflatable guitars, sunglasses, jewelry, and much more.
We wrapped up this year’s carnival in typical JOW Day Services fashion: with a fun and noisy dance contest! After two songs on our patio, participants Lisa T., Kellie H., Montrell H., and Deloris W. walked away with tons of tickets to add to what they had already won throughout the morning, as well as bragging rights as the best dancers of the day. It was a perfect way to end our event, and we are all looking forward to an even bigger and better Day Services Carnival in 2018!
