'For Once in My Life' Demonstrates the Greatness Within All of Us

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Nov 05, 2010, 10:59 ET

Documentary Film Shows How People with Disabilities Work to Inspire Audiences

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- From New York to L.A. and from Austin to Edmonton, a movie about The Spirit of Goodwill® Band made up of program participants at Goodwill is winning awards and charming audiences. For Once in My Life is a film that shows the greatness that lies within each of us. This heartwarming story, which has already won awards at film festivals in Nashville, South by Southwest in Austin, Port Townsend, Sarasota and Sonoma, chronicles the band's 28 members, all of whom have varying developmental and physical disabilities, such as Autism, Down Syndrome and blindness, and a wide range of behavioral disorders.

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Since the band first began in 1981 at Goodwill Industries South Florida in Miami, FL, music has been their shared joy — it transcends age, gender, race, physical and mental abilities, and socio-economics. The Goodwill in Miami opened its doors to allow a camera to follow the members of the band as they prepare for a performance at the U.S. Mayor's Convention. It shatters most preconceived notions of what it means to have a disability.

"For Once in My Life provides a message that is consistent with Goodwill's philosophy: the people we serve have the same potential and warts that we all possess," said Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. "Just given the opportunity, we can all do amazing things. As we learn about each band member, we realize the humor, hope, compassion and perseverance that exist within us all."

Viewers follow the lives of lead singer and saxophonist Terry, who is blind; pianist Christian, a virtuoso who is blind and autistic; and soprano Nancy, who has a mental disability and is the primary caretaker and breadwinner for her two older siblings, who also have disabilities, and many other inspiring individuals.

The film pays tribute to the teachers and parents who believe in the band members' abilities, and to others who rise above limited stereotypes themselves to become productive, contributing members of society. With the enthusiastic encouragement of Dennis Pastrana, president and CEO of Goodwill Miami, the rehabilitation team and the band's musical director, the band makes these accomplishments look easy, but the film demonstrates how breathtakingly hard the work is for these 28 people to perform at such a high caliber.

For screenings and other information, visit www.4onceinmylife.com or find them on Facebook or Twitter.

To learn more about working with people with disabilities, visit www.goodwill.org

About Goodwill Industries International

Goodwill Industries International is a network of 165 community-based agencies in the United States and Canada with 14 affiliates in 13 other countries. Goodwill is one of North America's top five most valuable and recognized nonprofit brands as well as a leading social services enterprise (Source: Cone Nonprofit Power Brand 100, 2009). Goodwill agencies are innovative and sustainable social enterprises that fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs by selling donated clothing and household items in nearly 2,500 retail stores and online at shopgoodwill.com. Local Goodwill agencies also build revenue and create jobs by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, and document imaging and shredding. In 2009, nearly 2 million people in the United States and Canada benefited from Goodwill's career services. Goodwill channels 83 percent of its revenues directly into its programs and services. To find a Goodwill location near you, use the online locator at www.goodwill.org, or call (800) 741-0186. Twitter: @GoodwillIntl. Facebook: GoodwillIntl.

SOURCE Goodwill Industries International