In the South Bay on Tuesday, a ribbon-cutting celebration was held for a Goodwill store that opened inside a prison. Officials with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office say that women who are in jail get real-life shopping experience.
It is “groundbreaking” that the Milpitas sheriff’s office has opened a store inside the Elmwood Correctional Campus.
In this program, women learn how to store things, keep track of inventory, and handle other tasks through a three-part training series.
The sheriff’s office said in a news release that the participants are learning important skills that will help the store run every day and that they are being taught in a supportive setting.
“This program lifts the women in our care, making them healthier and giving them back their pride,” said Holly Child, Director of Restorative Services. “For many, this represents hope, healing, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”
Additionally, the program gives women who are almost free the chance to shop for clothes for free. People say that this part of the program is important because it helps them get back into society with both new job skills and more trust in themselves.
The main things that women can find at this Goodwill store are clothes, underwear, and shoes.
We appreciate that Goodwill of Silicon Valley and Aramark are committed to this program as “second-chance employers.” This is to thank them.
The sheriff’s office said in a news release, “This collaborative effort is a big step toward breaking the cycle of incarceration and making better futures.”
A spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office said that women in jail who are taking Aramark retail classes through the Sheriff’s Programs Unit or who have been trained by another woman in jail who has been trained as a teacher are safe to work in the store. In addition, all women who have been freed can get clothes.
This is the Aramark store series. The three classes are all different lengths. Depending on how long they’ve been in the building, women can work in the store.
“Goodwill lets women in jail learn how to run the store on their own through a program called “train the teacher.” Goodwill will back the train the trainer plan when it’s needed, but the store’s success is due to the women who are in jail, according to Brooks Jarosz, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
According to Jarosz, the women in this program don’t pose much of a threat to the workers or the Goodwill staff.
Jessica Castello, Vice President of Retail for Goodwill, said, “We are giving people a chance, respect, and a fresh start.” “Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of women who deserve a second chance, and we’re showing that it’s never too late to rebuild, to learn, and to thrive.”