Candy with a Purpose

Brick City Candy is a social enterprise initiative of the Pyramid House Foundation, dedicated to providing supportive services, training, and employment opportunities to formerly incarcerated individuals as they reenter society. Returning citizens need stable jobs for the same reasons as everyone else: to support themselves and their loved ones, pursue life goals, and strengthen their communities. However, they face significantly greater challenges in securing stable employment. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, formerly incarcerated people in the United States experience an unemployment rate over 27% higher than the national average during any historical period, including the Great Depression. This heightened unemployment risk can lead to parole violations or, worse, repeat offenses and reincarceration.

This is not just a personal issue for those directly affected – it's a public safety issue that concerns us all. Stable employment is a key factor in reducing recidivism, which in turn helps create safer and more resilient communities. When formerly incarcerated individuals are given the opportunity to reintegrate successfully, it benefits society as a whole by reducing crime and promoting social stability.

Brick City Candy began with a conversation between Fuquan, Justice, Tanya, and Jenelle about the difficulties young men and women encounter when trying to transition away from a life of crime. By identifying transferable skills from their past experiences, the idea of candy making emerged. We set out to master the art of candy making, creating a social enterprise aimed at offering training and employment to those seeking a fresh start as productive, law-abiding members of society.