North Lawndale Employment Network Hosts 3rd Annual Sweet Beginnings Tea to Benefit Westside Employment Programs
February, 2008
The North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) hosted its Third Annual Sweet Beginnings Tea on Monday, February 11, 2008 at the Park Hyatt Hotel on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. On a cold, windy afternoon, nearly 200 guests enjoyed a variety of teas, finger sandwiches, and delicious pastries along with Beeline Honey that the Park Hyatt's executive chef used in making several of the food items served at the high tea. A fundraiser for the organization's employment and training programs, the event was hosted by NBC 5's morning co-anchor Zoraida Sambolin who welcomed everyone and guided the presenters and keynote speaker through the program.
A social enterprise, the North Lawndale Employment Network is the recipient of numerous awards and citations for the quality of its creative programs that provide environmentally sustainable business practices while helping to create green collar jobs for people of all income levels. “Transitional jobs are a critical strategy in providing meaningful work for people who have limited work experience and who battle against social stigmas in securing a second chance at a job. North Lawndale Employment Network is positioned at the center of a rich, challenging, and rewarding learning environment by serving as both the service provider and the employer all within the same building,” said Brenda Palms Barber, CEO of the North Lawndale Employment Network.
More than 42,000 inmates re-enter Illinois society every year. Organizations such as the North Lawndale Employment Network fill a very real void by creating opportunities for this population to resume a place in society through honest work that provides a living wage.
Melissa L. Bradley, founder of New Capitalist, a venture capital company that provides business development, strategy, and capitalization assistance to emerging and social entrepreneurs provided the keynote address. Ms. Bradley also launched Reentry Strategies Institute (RSI), the only national criminal justice intermediary explicitly focused on reentry, in 2005. Its goal is to be the most comprehensive and trusted resource of information on reentry for key decision makers.
In her address, Ms. Bradley stressed the need for all segments of society to be involved in rebuilding communities throughout America. “Strong communities form the basis for a strong country. It’s important that we level the playing field for those who are disadvantaged so that everyone has the opportunity to seek economic parity,” stated Ms. Bradley.
During the tea, NLEN conferred the Creating a Community that Works Award on Whole Foods Market. NLEN presents this award to allies who champion the many issues surrounding re-entry employment through communication, product sales and distribution, advocacy, and other areas of support. Whole Foods Market is the leading retailer of natural and organic foods with more than 265 stores in North America and the United Kingdom.
Whole Foods is highly selective about what it sells, is dedicated to stringent quality standards, and is committed to sustainable agriculture. Sweet Beginnings’ Beeline Honey and bath and body products are currently being sold at three Whole Foods stores in Chicago and will be expanding to several others in 2008. Jennifer McLain of the Lakeview Store and Richard Paro of the South Loop Store received awards for their support and assistance in bringing Beeline products to their respective locations. The Honorable Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7th District) made the award presentations.
Guests attending the Sweet Beginnings Tea also had the opportunity to buy Beeline Honey and bath and body products that Sweet Beginnings staff displayed in the hotel foyer. Many guests spent time at the beautiful exhibits, talked to staff about the products, and made purchases. Because the tea was held the day before Valentine’s Day, guests who were still seeking gifts were able to complete their last minute shopping.
Sponsors of the Sweet Beginnings fundraiser included the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation, the Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Heather, Jennifer and Robin Steans, the Steans Family Foundation, Boeing, JPMorgan Chase, Jim and Kay Mabie, the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Sinai Community Institute, Paula Wolff, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Chicago Botanic Garden, Deer Rehabilitation Services, Inc., National City Bank, CTI, Inc., and Steven Casey.
North Lawndale Employment Network sincerely thanks all of its sponsors and friends who donated money and time to this very worthwhile cause.
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