The Elmwood Goodwill store, exclusively for women inmates at Santa Clara County's Elmwood Correctional Facility, allows them to select outfits for their upcoming release. Opened in partnership with Goodwill of Silicon Valley and the Sheriff's Office, it provides job training opportunities and alleviates concerns of clothing after incarceration. Inmates participate in retail training, mirroring community store operations, gaining practical experience and skills. Store employees act as personal shoppers for incoming customers, fostering a supportive environment that prepares women for reintegration into society while alleviating post-release anxieties.
It's a great opportunity because it's one less worry that I don't have to worry about, like, what am I gonna wear when I leave here?
We call this a training store, really. Well, I call it that because it mirrors exactly the way that they are run in the community.
It's an opportunity for them to get job skills and hands-on experience that is exactly going to be useful in the same stores in the community.
They go through and they pull together outfits for them. It's like having a personal shopper, so I think they all really have a lot of fun.
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