Goodwill of Silicon Valley recently began a partnership with WorkFits, an innovative pilot program that transforms donated clothing into ready-to-wear outfit capsules that women can borrow for interviews, starting new jobs, and other career milestones. The capsules are then returned when they’re no longer needed, thereby keeping quality garments in circulation and reducing textile waste.
Founded by Yael Campbell and funded in part by the City of San Jose’s Zero Waste Innovation Grant, WorkFits sourced a portion of its clothing capsules directly from Goodwill of Silicon Valley retail stores, giving donated items a meaningful second life. Each capsule includes two to five stylist-curated, mix-and-match pieces designed to help women feel confident as they reenter the workplace. Through this partnership, capsules were provided to women participating in Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s Reentry and Justice-Involved Support Program, helping remove a common barrier to employment.
Access to professional clothing is an overlooked challenge. Studies show that 71% of employers say an applicant’s attire can influence hiring decisions, yet many women cannot afford a professional wardrobe before receiving their first paycheck.
This partnership demonstrates the power of reuse. While an estimated 85% of textiles end up in landfills, donated clothing can continue serving our community. A single garment first helps fund workforce programs through our retail stores before supporting someone at a job interview or their early stages of employment. By extending the life of donated clothing, Goodwill of Silicon Valley and WorkFits reduce waste, support sustainability, and empower women as they take the next step toward employment.
Your donations make partnerships like this possible. If you’re cleaning out your closet, consider donating gently used professional clothing to Goodwill of Silicon Valley. Every donation creates new opportunities for people in our community while keeping quality clothing in use.
Learn more about WorkFits here: workfits.co
