New ministry helps inmates ‘break the cycle’

Photo by: Bill Ackerman

Suits for Success, a new ministry in the Crest Hill community, collects gently used clothes from the public and donates them to state prisons.

William Denwood, board member for Disciples Bible Outreach Ministry, stated in a news release about the organization, that individuals, organizations and churches drop off clothing to participating dry cleaners; the dry cleaners press them at no cost, then volunteers distribute the clothes to state prisons.

In an email to The Herald News, Denwood explained that the clothes collection began in November 2016 after Statesville Correctional Center in Crest Hill sent out an email to nonprofits asking for donations. The email asked for gently used clothes inmates reaching parole could wear during job interviews.

Denwood said in a recent news release, “Our purpose is to break the cycle of men and women going back into the environment that caused them to go to prison in the first place.” He continued, “We want to place these people on an equal footing in the interview process and to get these people employed.”

Denwood continued to explain that Suits for Success wants to restore pride in individuals stuck in the prison system. He believes that this program allows more individuals to rejoin the workforce and become tax paying citizens in the community.

Since its beginning, the ministry has grown to include other correctional centers and volunteers. Denwood stated that more than 500 suits have been delivered to Statesville and over 4,000 to other various men and women’s prisons.

Anyone interested can drop off gently used clothes at KC Specialty Cleaners, 455 N. Ottawa St., Joliet Ill.

For more information on Suits for Success, including additional drop-off locations, visit suitsforsuccess.net.