Sweet Beginnings, LLC

I was reading an article today in the Fall 2010 Urban Farms (yes, I am a little behind in my reading). It is about the company, Sweet Beginnings, located in the Chicago area. They make an eco-friendly line of body care products as well as raw honey. What makes the company unique is its employees. It was started by a woman who used to be part of a group that helped former inmates find work after their prison sentences were completed. She became frustrated in the fact that no one would employ them. Thus, she started Sweet Beginnings.

In the community that Sweet Beginnings was started, 57 percent of people had some kind of criminal background. The company hires former inmates, they then go through a 60 hour beekeeping course and obtain certification through Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. They then gain work experience by working at the company. In the last 2 1/2 years the company has trained 172 formerly incarcerated people. Of those only 4% have returned to prison compared 62% nationally and 55% in the state of Illinois. This is an excellent success rate in returning productive people back into the community.

I would encourage you to support Sweet Beginnings by buying their products if they are available in your area. According to the article, the products are carried nationally at Whole Foods,, 21 local green, and organic stores and boutiques. They also can be obtained online at Peapod.com.