Goodwill of Greater Washington‘s mission is to educate, train, employ and place people with disadvantages and disabilities, creating a stronger workforce and a more vital community while building dignity for the people they serve through the removal of barriers to personal success.
One of their success stories is Ronald Fogle.
Ronald was born without a left arm. He was raised by his father and sister after his mother passed away when he was two years old.
Growing up, he was teased often about his disability. He felt shame because he often felt like he was so different than everyone else. Inside, Ronald was more determined to overcome his disability than anyone could have ever imagined. He was determined to be an example of hard work and dedication to his children, and to live a full, independent life.
After completing Goodwill of Greater Washington’s Environmental Services training course in 2005, Ronald landed a custodial job he loves at the Old Post Office Pavilion in downtown Washington. Today, over three years later, Ronald continues to work tirelessly to support himself and his children.
To learn more about Ronald and other Goodwill of Greater Washington Mission Success Stories, visit this link.
If you missed the last Community Cinema [DC] presentation of FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE, you have one more chance — see the film, meet Stephen Kopalchick of Goodwill of Greater Washington, and Joyce Lowery-Muis of Art Enables (with art by Art Enables)
WHEN: Sunday, January 23 at 3 PM
WHERE: Washington DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th Street, NW
FREE. For reservations, email onceinmylife[at]communitycinema-dc[dot]org or call 202-939-0794.
Producer/Director Daniel H. Birman comes to DC for the Community Cinema presentations of his film Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story. Me Facing Life is a hard-edged look into the troubled life of Nashville’s Cyntoia Brown, a young woman tried as a juvenile and currently serving a life sentence for a murder she committed at age 16.
Initially, I was not terribly sympathetic to the idea of Cyntoia Brown and her story because it was just so similar to the daily news grind — another youth becoming violent through drugs and prostitution. Then I heard my own voice ignoring the obvious flaw in my thinking . . . a 16-year-old girl facing murder charges . . . there had to be more to the story. Then, when I met Cyntoia, there was no question. This film had to be made. I knew that it was going to take time to get to the bottom of her story to answer a very basic question: Why did this happen? So began a six-year journey for me. Daniel H. Birman
The Community Cinema [DC] events are 5 PM Saturday, February 12 at Busboys and Poets; and 3 PM Sunday, February 13 at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center. Additional guest speakers will be announced.Trailer:
Whereas music is the force behind the Spirit of Goodwill band in Miami, Art Enables emphasizes visual arts.
Art Enables Founder/Executive Director Joyce Muis-Lowery will bring several pieces by Art Enables artists to the Community Cinema [DC] previews of For Once In My Life in January. Art Enables and Goodwill of Greater Washington are community partners for the Washington, DC Community Cinema presentations.
Art Enables runs a studio and gallery providing resources and support emerging artists with developmental and/or mental disabilities such as down syndrome, autism, traumatic brain injury, and bipolar disorder. In the studio, artists have an opportunity to create and sell their art. The art work produced is categorized as outsider and contemporary folk art. You can preview the art at the Community Cinema event and/or visit Art Enables gallery and store at 2204 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20018
Saturday, January 8 at 5 PM
Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th Street, NW
Sunday, January 23 at 3 PM
Washington DCJCC, 1529 16th Street, NW
Reservations: Email onceinmylife[at]communitycinema-dc[dot]org or call 202-939-0794.
Download a flyer from this link.
Art work by Margie Sellers – “If Bombs Were Flowers”
