We had the good fortune of connecting with Jami Ward and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jami, what are you inspired by?
I’m inspired by the creativity of the aspiring designers from the community who have volunteered their time to be part of Project Goodwill. They have been tasked with designing wearable garments using upcycled materials from Goodwill North Central Texas stores. Judges from all aspects of the fashion industry will evaluate the designers’ work based on expression, design, technique and use of unconventional materials during this fun and exciting fashion show. The fashion show will be judged by industry professionals including Director of Customer Care for Kendra Scott, Lyndsay Baylor; Professor of Theatre Arts at Texas Wesleyan University, Joe Allen Brown; Plus-Size Reseller and Body-Positive Activist, Dearrine Morrow (@thedivaofcurvestx); and Design Consultant, Kanani Mahelona.

In 2023, 11 designers used materials like doll parts, wicker baskets, shower curtains, plastic grapes, gloves, luggage, lampshades and more to complete their looks. The fashion show will be hosted by Anthony Elle, winner of Project Runway All Stars, Season 6 and of HGTV’s Rock the Block. In 2024 we have 16 designers working on their looks to feature in our runway show on Thursday, April 4th!

What should our readers know about your business?
Goodwill is more than a thrift store. The largest employer of people with disabilities in the world, Goodwill believes that work has the power to transform lives by building self-confidence, independence, creativity, trust and friendships. Everyone deserves this chance.

Goodwill North Central Texas is based in Fort Worth and serves 18 counties in the region. The nonprofit’s 27 area retail locations provide revenue through the sale of donated goods to support Goodwill’s mission to CREATE lives of independence and BUILD a stronger local community. Job training and career services programs for people with disabilities, such as physical or mental disabilities and other barriers to employment including lack of education or work experience and homelessness are guided by the organization’s vision of a North Central Texas where everyone person has the opportunity for maximum independence and abundant living. For more information, please visit www.GoodwillNorthCentralTexas.org.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In the spirit of supporting people with disabilities, we’d recommend donating to or thrift shopping at your nearest Goodwill store!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All proceeds from Project Goodwill 2024 will go toward the expansion of Goodwill’s S.T.A.R.S. program. S.T.A.R.S., which stands for Skills Training Achieves Results, is a unique day program for adults with disabilities that recreates daily living scenarios through an interactive, realistic environment. The mission of Goodwill S.T.A.R.S is to provide a supportive learning environment to empower participants so that they may overcome the boundaries and limits of intellectual and physical disabilities and achieve their personal goals. Participants rotate between different places such as the apartment, general store, town square, art studio and fitness center. Each different place gives participants a chance to learn real life skills while having fun and interacting with staff and participants.

Website: www.goodwillnorthcentraltexas.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/goodwillnct

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/102465

Twitter: @goodwillnct

Facebook: www.facebook.com/goodwillnct

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@goodwillnct

Image Credits
Glen E. Ellman, Justan Martinez

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