Sweet Beginnings 
An Urban Honey Transitional Jobs Program for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
NLEN has begun operating an Urban Honey Transitional Jobs social enterprise as a strategy for providing local employment for formerly incarcerated individuals and other low-income North Lawndale residents, and for promoting community economic development.
Participants in NLEN programs, although typically motivated, have little experience in the workplace. Formerly incarcerated individuals are banned from many careers, and employers in sectors that do allow for their employment often do not want to hire them. For many formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment, nontraditional jobs and self-employment are the only feasible options. Urban farming, and honey production in particular, are industries that are open to formerly incarcerated individuals. The skills required are complex, but do not require extensive education or credentials.
Individuals employed at this business are trained on the job as landscapers, beekeepers, and food processors. They are also exposed to retail sales and business management and development. Many of these employees will later pursue careers in landscaping, but most importantly, individuals employed for six months through this program will have work experience and the beginnings of an employment history. Sweet Beginnings employees who were formerly incarcerated complete the U-Turn Permitted program before beginning their employment.
Sweet Beginnings already has approximately 40 hives located in North Lawndale and has completed its first harvest and is selling honey at local farmers markets. With the pro-bono help of Kym Abrams Designs, Sweet Beginnings has developed a product name, Beeline, and a logo. Currently only producing honey, Beeline will eventually include honey facial scrub, lip balm, and hand lotion. Sweet Beginnings hopes to begin selling honey at six local restaurants as well.
Moreover, urban agriculture is a growing, worldwide movement focusing on using vacated city land for productive, health-generating economic activity. A honey cooperative in North Lawndale would become an important component of this community’s and the city’s revitalization strategy. It can position North Lawndale for attention and assistance from international funding sources as this unique urban apiary grows.
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