Helping men and women who have been incarcerated re-enter mainstream society through meaningful work and building a stronger and safer city are the hallmarks of Goodwill's Ex-Offender Program, a partnership with the City of Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Reintegration Services for Ex-Offenders (RISE). This program, which is also funded by a $1.4 million grant from The Knight Foundation, is self-sustaining with the support of the local business and civic community. It is based in Goodwill's 19,472 square foot Contract Services Center located at 455-473 N. 7th Street. Here’s how the program works:

• In a sheltered workshop setting, ex-offenders are employed at Goodwill's Contract Services Center where they acquire marketable light industrial skills processing donated textiles and computers and working on sub-industrial contracts from local business.
• Beyond building a resume and developing positive work behaviors, participants earn a weekly paycheck.
• Once considered job ready, a team of job placement counselors help them to secure and retain competitive employment in the community.