Women incarcerated at Santa Clara County’s Elmwood Correctional Facility now have access to a unique Goodwill store designed just for them. This initiative, a collaboration between Goodwill of Silicon Valley and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, provides women nearing release with free clothing, including complete outfits and new socks and underwear. The program not only helps them re-enter society with dignity but also offers valuable retail job training while they serve their sentences.
Women working in the store gain experience inspecting, sorting, and managing merchandise, preparing them for employment after release. Many, like Zaira, plan to continue working with Goodwill’s employment program for former inmates. The store helps eliminate the “walk of shame,” where women previously left in old, ill-fitting clothes from their arrests. Sheriff’s Capt. Rita Roland hopes to expand the initiative to include men, emphasizing that fresh clothing can positively impact self-esteem and future outlook.