Grateful Garments??!! Sounds strange until you know what this project is all about. It’s something that never entered my mind. That is, a victim of sexual assault must undergo an exam that’s disturbing, to say the least, in both the physical and emotional senses. After that, she may finally shower and prepare to go home. But in what? Her clothing has been taken for possible forensic evidence.
Enter The Grateful Garment Project. They provide new clothing and slippers or flip-flops for these exhausted, demoralized women to wear home after their exam, which can last as long as ten hours. Although food is not important in their minds at that time, they do need snacks to get them through, which the Project makes available to them. Before they leave, however, they want to bathe; the Project gives them sample-sized soaps and shampoos and an opportunity to wash away some of the hurt and degradation.
These small comforts remind the women that they are more than just victims, that they are valued and cared for. After what they’ve been through, they need and deserve the support the Project provides.
To learn more or to donate toiletries, clothing, or money, go to www.gratefulgarment.org. Or contact Lisa at (408)674-5744 or [email protected].