OHare Beehives Have Given Former Inmates 2nd Chance For More Than A Decade

Established in 2011, O'Hare Airport's apiary serves as a training facility for formerly incarcerated individuals through the North Lawndale Employment Network's Sweet Beginnings program. The initiative has successfully graduated over 1,000 participants, achieving a recidivism rate of less than 10% within three years—well below Illinois' average of 43%. Brenda Palms, CEO of the North Lawndale Employment Network, highlights the program's role in reshaping perceptions of ex-offenders, focusing on their contributions to society. Sweet Beginnings teaches participants essential skills in beekeeping, product development, and marketing, allowing them to create and sell honey-infused items. The apiary's success has led to discussions about expanding to the Obama Presidential Center.

Additionally, Sweet Beginnings products are sold at local retailers, including Mariano's and O'Hare's Hudson News and Gifts. This initiative not only provides job training but also fosters community engagement and environmental awareness. The apiary at O'Hare stands as a testament to the power of second chances and the importance of addressing the stigma associated with incarceration.