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Every year 700,000 people are released from prison into the “free” world, many of whom are homeless, penniless, and lacking family support. The immediate challenge they face is how to survive. 

In response, Witness to Mass Incarceration launched The Suitcase Project to provide items needed for a successful new beginning. Working with faith-based and community organizations and volunteers, Witness provides newly released people of color, Indigenous people and LGBTQIA2S individuals with suitcases filled with critically needed items such as a cell phone with minutes for a year, a computer, clothing, and toiletries. 

We are empowering New York’s formerly incarcerated, system-impacted, and migrant communities through an innovative new initiative called The Art of Tailoring and Fashion Design. This program offers a dedicated space to learn, alongside a manufacturing hub that provides  hands-on vocational training and entrepreneurial opportunities—designed to break the cycle of recidivism and promote lasting economic independence.

This initiative is a critical investment in human capital, transforming the lives of individuals too often marginalized by the current system. The Art of Tailoring and Fashion Design is more than a training program—it is a vibrant hub for creativity and entrepreneurship, fostering a culture of support, resilience, and self-determination.

WITNESS-US™ is the next bold phase in our mission—a first-of-its-kind e-commerce storytelling marketplace that brings together formerly incarcerated, system-impacted, and migrant entrepreneurs in a unified digital space.

This innovative platform will serve as a launchpad for economic empowerment and narrative transformation, allowing justice-impacted individuals to showcase their products and services, expand their customer base, and share their personal stories with the world. We believe that by centering human experiences and fostering connection, customers will be more likely to support these businesses—not just with their hearts, but with their dollars.

The job platforms people are expected to rely on—Indeed, LinkedIn, and others—do not work for the populations we serve. Only 1% of applicants on Indeed are hired. Only 2–3% of LinkedIn applicants secure an interview. These systems depend on digital access, stable housing, polished résumés, and professional networks—advantages that many justice-impacted, migrant, LGBTQ+, and veteran job seekers do not have. Stigma, background-check barriers, limited social capital, and lack of digital access shut people out long before they reach a hiring manager.

Networking and referrals lead to better jobs and pay. Studies show that people hired through referrals tend to receive higher wages, more stable work, and longer-term retention—opportunities that mass-application systems rarely create. But for many in our communities, personal networks are limited or nonexistent due to incarceration, migration, or systemic marginalization. Without connections, they remain excluded from the “hidden job market” where most hiring actually happens.

Because public data is limited and these platforms lack transparency, underserved job seekers have no clear pathway toward stability. The lack of support is not simply a gap—it is a structural failure.

This is why WITNESSWorks is needed. WITNESSWorks is an early-stage concept to create a human-centered, relationship-based employment system that traditional job boards do not offer. Rather than relying on algorithms and mass applications, WITNESSWorks will provide:

• one-on-one vetting and guidance,

• trust-building and emotional support,

• tailored preparation for job readiness,

• relationship-driven job matching,

• ongoing follow-up after placement,

• and equity-driven support that addresses real-world barriers.