Holiday Shopping with Purpose: Support Justice-Driven Businesses
This holiday season, your shopping choices can spark change. Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs directly impacted by the criminal legal system—or organizations dedicated to their empowerment—goes beyond commerce. It’s a way to invest in resilience, create opportunities, and champion second chances. The Michigan Justice Fund team has curated this special list featuring a few of their favorite brands, each combining purpose with quality. These businesses are more than just vendors; they’re stories of transformation, creativity, and community-building. This holiday season let’s shop with intention, support justice-driven enterprises, and make a difference!
People’s Pottery Project:
Based in Los Angeles, People’s Pottery Project is a ceramics studio and collective that empowers formerly incarcerated women and other minority groups through paid job training, art-making and employment in their studio business. They produce handcrafted pottery pieces (for example their “Fingerprint Bowl” which carries the actual fingerprint of the maker) as well as other ceramic homewares and art pieces. It’s a strong gift choice: for those interested in a beautiful functional object while supporting people rebuilding their lives.
Rebel Nell:
This Detroit-based social enterprise offers beautifully crafted jewelry and accessories that are not only stylish but deeply meaningful. They create charm necklaces, bracelets, rings, keychains, coasters, pet tags and more all made from repurposed graffiti and metal. Rebel Nell is a women-owned business offering employment and wrap-around support to women facing barriers (including those coming out of shelter living).This holiday season, you can gift one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces — durable, meaningful and socially conscious.
Repowered:
This Minnesota-based nonprofit runs a retail & electronics repair/refurbish shop (both online & in-store) that gives tech a second life — and gives justice-impacted folks the opportunity for meaningful work. Rebuild’s mission is to give technology a second run and the people who restore it a fair chance. On their shop you’ll find refurbished laptops, desktops, tablets, phones, consoles, etc., all with a 1-year warranty and free shipping on many items. A thoughtful gift for the tech-lover in your life, and one that supports equitable employment.
Bags to Butterflies:
Based in Detroit, this organization empowers women, including those with histories of incarceration or other systemic barriers, through design and manufacturing of bags, purses, jewelry and accessories. Their “Cocoon Collection” of bags and cross-body styles is built to transition from day to night. Bags to Butterflies reflects transformation — giving women and materials a new, vibrant chance at life. For holiday shopping, their high-quality bags and accessories are stylish and meaningful.
Darkness Rising “REBUILD Calendar”:
While not a traditional retail shop, the Darkness Rising annual “REDBUILD Transformative Justice” calendar is a meaningful gift item. Each month in the calendar features art and uplifting quotes by current or formerly incarcerated individuals, who are compensated for their contributions. The purchase of the calendar directly supports their REBUILD program, which provides free therapy and support for formerly incarcerated people. A calendar is a timely holiday gift that also sends a message of hope and support.
Homeboy Bakery:
Treat your loved ones—and yourself—to the delicious baked goods from Homeboy Bakery, where every bite supports second chances. A cornerstone of Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang rehabilitation and reentry program, this bakery provides job training and hope to formerly incarcerated individuals. From artisan breads to decadent desserts, each product is crafted with care and carries the inspiring story of transformation. By ordering from Homeboy Bakery, you’re not just savoring amazing flavors—you’re helping create pathways to brighter futures. Share the warmth this holiday season with baked goods that truly make a difference.
For Everyone Collective:
This holiday season, shop with purpose at For Everyone Collective, a mission-driven brand amplifying the voices and talents of those directly impacted by the justice system. Offering a range of apparel and accessories, the Collective provides meaningful employment, creative expression, and a platform for advocacy. Every purchase supports their mission to dismantle systemic barriers and invest in second chances. Explore their empowering designs and make a statement with your gifts—because justice and style can go hand in hand.
Benevolence Farm:
Give the gift of care and compassion with products from Benevolence Farm Body Care, a social enterprise supporting formerly incarcerated women. Nestled in North Carolina, Benevolence Farm provides a safe space for women to grow, heal, and rebuild their lives through meaningful employment and sustainable farming. Their handcrafted body care products—made with natural ingredients grown on the farm—offer a touch of luxury while directly funding empowerment and reentry programs. Shop their collection and help create opportunities for brighter futures this holiday season.
We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives Cookbook
This holiday season, add a slice of inspiration to your gift list with We the Pizza: Slangin’ Pies and Savin’ Lives by Muhammad Abdul-Hadi. Down North Pizza is a mission-driven gourmet restaurant in Philadelphia that exclusively trains and hires people returning home from time behind bars. Lucky for us they will be releasing a cookbook in early 2025, place your pre-order here! Through heartfelt storytelling and entrepreneurial insight, the book showcases the power of food to create opportunities and build bridges. Purchasing this book not only supports a powerful mission but also sparks meaningful conversations about resilience and transformation. Grab a copy for yourself or a loved one and join the movement of change.
I Have a Bean
Start your mornings with purpose by brewing coffee from I Have a Bean, a specialty coffee company with a mission to create second chances. Committed to excellence, I Have a Bean sources high-quality beans and roasts them to perfection, delivering exceptional flavor in every cup. Beyond great coffee, the company prioritizes employing individuals who have been impacted by the justice system, providing meaningful work opportunities and a path to reentry. By choosing I Have a Bean, you’re fueling change while enjoying your daily brew. Shop their selection and sip with intention!
BeeLove
Spread sweetness and support second chances with products from BeeLove, a brand that empowers formerly incarcerated individuals through sustainable employment in urban beekeeping. Based in Chicago, BeeLove crafts premium honey-based products, from raw honey to soothing skincare, all while providing pathways to stability and success for those rebuilding their lives. Every purchase helps create opportunities and champions the power of transformation. Shop BeeLove and make a buzz-worthy impact this holiday season!
Art for Redemption
Celebrate creativity and transformation this holiday season by shopping at Art for Redemption. This unique platform connects incarcerated artists with the world, showcasing their talents and providing a means to share their stories. By purchasing their artwork, you’re supporting second chances and fostering hope for individuals navigating life after incarceration. From stunning prints to one-of-a-kind creations, every piece reflects resilience and the human spirit. Explore their collection and give gifts that inspire change and celebrate artistry.
Ed Hennings Co.
Empower transformation and perseverance by shopping at Ed Hennings Co., a brand founded by Ed Hennings, who turned his own journey of overcoming incarceration into a mission to inspire others. Offering stylish apparel, Ed Hennings Co. embodies the spirit of second chances and self-reinvention. Each purchase supports this vision of empowerment and helps amplify stories of resilience. Shop now and give a gift that motivates and uplifts this holiday season!