oodwill Southern California has partnered with the City of Los Angeles and College of the Canyons to offer the Stiches Program – a comprehensive 12 week training course to connect displaced, experienced apparel workers with permanent jobs in other apparel and sewn products companies. Clotee McAfee, a 30 year veteran of the fashion and apparel industry, started the program years ago when she noticed a need for skilled labor in the U.S. fashion industry. Students meet at Goodwill Southern California’s Los Angeles campus and move from highly productive to highly skilled through cross training in different sewing techniques and instruction in the proper use of industrial and modern sewing machines. Students also receive on-the-job coaching and skills training in personal development. College of the Canyons provides English language instruction. For a majority of the students, English is their second language. They are eager to learn - to make themselves more marketable to prospective employers. The Stitches program is rewarding for students as they employ their newfound skills and also build self-esteem. Most Stitches program participants are former American Apparel employees who were laid off upon the company’s closure. Students are also referred to the program via the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). the THREAD of HOPE Stitches student Miriam Iraheta displaying her work