Chicago Case Studies Overview
Sweet Beginnings
Sweet Beginnings is a unique social enterprise in the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago's west side that puts formerly incarcerated men and women to work in temporary jobs raising bees, harvesting their honey, and manufacturing and selling quality honey-based skin care products. Former inmates accepted into the program learn a variety of job skills and develop a work track record that makes them stronger candidates for mainstream employers. They earn a decent wage and, more importantly, build confidence and self-respect. Sweet Beginnings is operated by the nonprofit North Lawndale Employment Network. The network's CEO, Brenda Palms-Barber, said she was frustrated in her efforts to find jobs for the many formerly incarcerated men and women who were returning to their North Lawndale neighborhood. Out of that frustration, she came up with the idea for Sweet Beginnings in 2004.
From early on, Boeing has had a close and unique relationship with Sweet Beginnings, including supporting the organization's first fund-raising event. But the relationship extends beyond providing grant money. In 2005, a Global Corporate Citizenship representative asked Boeing Chicago's Employee Volunteer Council about ways employees could get involved.
And so over the next year, a team of six Boeing employees, and other professionals from area companies they were able to recruit for the project, rolled up their collective sleeves in their off-hours to study every aspect of Sweet Beginnings' business and operations. They then wrote a comprehensive business plan, much as they would for a new Boeing product or service. Boeing also has agreed to help the business plan move forward in a key area by partially funding the first-year salary of a new production manager for Sweet Beginnings' operations. Additionally, a Boeing employee who advised the business plan project recently was named to the North Lawndale Employment Network's board of directors.
The Enterprising Kitchen
The Enterprising Kitchen (TEK) is a unique nonprofit social enterprise, which is defined as a nonprofit that undertakes an income-earning business or strategy to generate revenue in support of its mission. Founded in 1996, TEK's mission is to provide transitional employment as well as job and life skills training to women who are working toward self-sufficiency and economic independence.
TEK accomplishes its mission through a manufacturing company, which produces high quality natural soaps and spa products and provides workforce development and support services. Within the context of this social enterprise, women receive intensive workforce development assistance that includes paid employment, work and life skills training, individualized career planning and a variety of support services. The enterprise enables women to maximize their individual potential and move into sustainable employment after six months of training.
A supporter since 2004, Boeing's earlier grants allowed TEK to expand its business development efforts, which more than doubled sales and the number of women served. A 2007 grant built on these successes and addressed TEK's need for additional managers by supporting the organization's Team Builder Program. As opposed to hiring managers from outside of the enterprise, this innovative model aims to promote from within and offer greater opportunities for women participants. Through the Team Builder program, participants in TEK's training programs have the opportunity to advance into the leadership positions within the enterprise as it grows and expands.