BY LAURA WILLIAMS
Newcastle charities are collaborating for a greater cause, helping to provide a sense of dignity for women leaving prison through the Success Works program.
The program is part of charity organisation Dress for Success's mission to smoothen the transition from prison, helping affected women to write resumes, gain employment, and in the most practical sense, provide them with something to wear as they leave prison.
The Sydney lockdowns have created an opportunity for Newcastle to contribute, with charities such as Samaritans stepping up to meet the demand and filling clothing orders.
Dress for Success operations Manager Shari Bonnette says that often women leaving prison don't have clothing with them.
"They may not have a lot of family support, if we can offer them some clothing then we can at least provide them with some dignity and a sense that they will fit right in with society." she says.
Dress for Success, which is known for providing disadvantaged women with the resources to gain employment right down to an outfit for interview, is a crucial organisation for the Hunter region, with the region's female unemployment rates well above the national average.
While the organisation is always accepting donations of corporate clothing for women, their collaboration with local op-shops have allowed them to meet the more niche needs of women re-entering society.
"Women leaving the prison system don't necessarily want a pair of slacks or a corporate-style shirt, this collaboration has allowed us to provide these women with something more casual and comfortable for when they leave," says Shari.
"Newcastle has really stepped up."
