Providing opportunities to the people we support is a priority at MSS. Opportunities vary from employment, community engagement, or the creative arts, to name a few.

Recently, Jessica Williams, an artist from Oakdale, earned an opportunity to showcase her creative ability to a packed arena for a WNBA game.

In conjunction with We Are Lions (WAL), Jessica designed a pair of game shoes for Seattle star Jewell Loyd, in what is being called Project Crown Jewell. Loyd wore the shoes during the team’s June 4 home game against the Minnesota Lynx.

“I am super grateful for the opportunity to do this,” Jessica said. “I’ve never done anything like this, so it was cool to get this chance.”

WAL is a nonprofit apparel and design company that gives people with disabilities access to social and financial opportunities. For Project Crown Jewell, artists with disabilities customized 18 pairs of Nike sneakers that Jewell will wear during her home games this season.

Jessica’s work was chosen from 15 MSS artists and she worked on the shoes for about two weeks.