From Prison to Pizzeria: How Philly’s Best Pizza Joint is Fighting Mass Incarceration
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- Опубликовано: 5 фев 2024
- In the premiere episode of FOOD HEROES, we visit Down North Pizza, the revolutionary Philly pizza joint that is changing lives and serving up a slice of social change. At Down North Pizza, the crust is thick, the signature sauce is spicy, and the staff is made up entirely of individuals who have spent time behind bars.
Against the backdrop of Philadelphia’s high incarceration rates, owner Muhammad Abdul has made it his life's mission to reduce recidivism through employment, fair wages, and housing. We delve deep into the raw and often heartbreaking experiences of his team as they open up about their encounters with the prison system, and rely on their brotherhood to support one another through their shared experiences and mutual love of pizza.
For more information on Down North Pizza:
www.downnorthpizza.com
www.downnorthfoundation.org
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Развлечения
*“Since we was looking like the villains, why not be the heroes” - Down North Pizza*
Pathetic. (If you don't know you own language, it's truly pathetic)
^ that last commenter is pathetic. Thank you for featuring these gentlemen and their business FWF. Y’all are real ones.
YEP, THEY MAKE MONEY ON YOU LOCKN PEOPLE UP. SIC !
Saute them mushrooms onions peppers ❤
Don't forget fennel seed😃
The violation of parole for getting a second job is too real. Had an interview for a dishwasher once, and because we were short, I asked the guy if he could start right away, which he did. He got caught up and couldn’t call his parole officer on time to tell him he would stay after curfew because of his new job. Police went to his house the next day and sent him back to jail. I called everyone I could think of to explain what happened, and went to his hearing and told the judge he was with me all the time and they were welcomed to check on the security cameras to confirm, but to not avail. He finished his remaining 6 months inside and told him he would have a job waiting for him after he got out. Never heard from him again.
What a tragic ending to that. Hope he pulled through despite the injustice.
That is so sad
US prison system is designed to keep people in jail, so private jails have slaves to use for agricultural corporations free labor, who then rake it profits and give a cut to the prison owners and judges that make this all happen.
Very sad.
So he violated the rules of his parole instead of asking you to give him 24 hours to call his PO?
So he ruined his life again for a little extra dishwashing money... that sounds exactly like the type of decision making process that got us here in the first place.
Love what these men are doing. My Father-in-law spent 24 years inside. He got his engineering degree while inside, but still had a hard time proving himself outside. I have mad respect for these men trying to change people's lives.
That is so amazing he got an engineering degree while incarcerated. Did your FIL end up getting a job in engineering or found another way for providing for himself?
And those are the people that deserve jobs! People don't understand sometimes. Do people make mistakes? Sure. Do they deserve to have a sentence for it? yeah probably. But after they are done with that, after they get out, they have served that time, they have done their work and improved most likely as human beings, like your Father in Law did. They deserve jobs and deserve a life. I'm sorry to hear he was in there for that long! But I'm hoping he has gotten something going as well now that he's out and improved with that degree. :(
make this a national model for second chance franchise around the country
You should lobby to not have people carry what amounts to a life sentence even if they have done the time. Its crazy that people have to carry a permanent record. It should be illegal for people to ask for your criminal record unless its for a security job. If you have done your time, its sentence served, otherwise all sentences are life sentences.
Every community should have a second chance place great video
*YES*
Tell your government
@@ronch182 No, u gotta pay OFF your government . big dollars. its all about shutting DOWN private run businesses, and corrupt attorneys and prosecutors. People mess up. Guys that do really bad stuff get let out. Guys that do small things and petty get locked up forever.
As someone who worked as a CO the biggest issue Ive seen is its a money factory. These prison make around 1.2 million dollars per inmate every year. That combined with the fact that your record isnt cleared if you do your time and are "rehabilitated".
This is one of the best videos the channel has put out. Sometimes people just need help and to see companies trying to help people that need help is so awesome
Intend of demonizing people, helping people is the answer that will actually help society
From North Philly born and raised.. Down North is definitely a hiden gem!!
Happy to see them getting the recognition they deserve 🙌🏻🫡
right cuz how i didnt know about this? finna pull up td
That pizza place is like one big supportive family. great initiative!
This is a great story, so glad First We Feast went out and covered this
These guys show more passion and joy about pizza and food than 90% of the Italian joints I see. Super cool guys, super cool place. I wish them nothing but success
These folks are putting more into society and their work / craft than a lot of people I know who were never incarcerated. Everybody deserves a second chance because you never know who can and is willing to change and why they ended up there in the first place. You gotta support them so they can get back into a stable life. Someday they'll be helping others the same way and who doesn't love a good pizza?
System is busted and nobody should be punished for seeking work. They may be called Downnorth but they're going up in my books.
From Philly,
We need more places like Down North. Not just here, but across the country.
Glad to learn about this spot and am excited to try it out and support!
Same. I live in Easton.
I found out about this spot from a shoe launch in a Philly shoe store that they were a part of. The pizza was amazing and their mission even more so. Proud to have these dudes in our community.
Often most people just need a chance, too often they are never given that chance. Thanks for sharing this amazing work and that food looks sensational. Much love from South Australia.
Thank you for spotlighting this on you channel. I would love to see a model like this grow across the country. In LA there's Homeboy Industries that focuses on gang rehabilitation. They make great food!
This is such a beautiful video, I’ve studied some criminal justice reform for a while I was working on my political science degree and man the system unfortunately isn’t broken, it’s working exactly as intended which is a sick and vile thing to even think about. So many lives needlessly ruined, it warms my heart to see these men rise above this which would’ve already been uplifting enough but to see them give back to their community as well, nothing but love to all these men from Atl ❤
Great to see programs like this helping people to get out of the life. Mad respect.
These men didn't overcome themselves, they overcame a system that abused them. This is protest, this is fighting back against the shameful acts of the powerful against the powerless. Rise up. Down North. What a way to launch a new series, FWF. more please.
I am so proud of these brothers.
This is incredible and I'd watch a whole series on this shop
I used to drive from Delco to get Down North. The pies go absolutely crazy, nothing but respect for the whole crew.
This is a series that I will watch from end to end every time. So wholesome. Love seeing the good in the world.
The world can be a dark, dreary place. Stories like this one brighten the mind. Nice work, everyone 👏
"we call it the cheese fence" these guys got a great sense of humor
I commend these guys for their hard work! That pizza looks amazing! There are repercussions for criminal activity, but it’s great to see these guys being a positive influence on their community. ❤
BRrilliant!! I love what you guys are doing for those who struggle or simply don't have a chance to find work and a place to stay due to their past and/or circumstances. Fugging Fantastic!! WAY too many people can't move on and improve their lives due to what they look like on paper. It's frustrating AF! You guys are magic! I hope your business and ideas grow and GROW and spread and SPREAD. Respect; Love; Admiration and Appreciation for people like you, needed people.
So cool that you guys are highlighting this on your channel
This is the “This restores my faith in humanity”.
People deserve a second, third, fourth, tenth chance.
We’re all humans with sometimes bad stories.
Great job everyone involved.
Tenth chance? What? You're serious? So someone who had had 10 run-ins with the law deserves an 11th chance? Where is the limit? You are the reason crime is on the rise in many major metropolitan areas. Criminals love to exploit your weakness.
@@mark11302 you must be fun at parties
@@NateyCat And you're naive.
what a great spotlight! keep slinging those pies fellas!!!
This was awesome to watch. The positivity coming from these guys is inspiring.
Growing up on a "square pizza" Totinos and microwave pizza ls life. When you had to watch over yourself or you and siblings and you can't use the stove for stuff. Such a cool and amazing idea. Well done you guys!
EDIT: Was also talking about way back in the 90s before DoorDash and all of that stuff
What a great initiative these gentlemen are fronting. I really hope Down North goes nationwide and all the best to gents and their families.
This was such a crusting episode. This is one of the places I look forward to trying when I go to Philly❤
I applaud your direction and wish you all the success this life can offer. KUDOS!!!!!
When my son was eight years-old, my wife asked me to go into my office and write some words to help him understand life and give him direction.
One of the quips I wrote to help him understand the importance of overcoming obstacles goes like this...
"When life appears to be little more than one irritation after another... Remember, without the irritation of the sand the Oyster would never know the beauty of the Pearl."
Keep it up, don't stop!
CONTINUE making "DOWN NORTH PIZZA" a shining beacon of hope and the lifeboat so many need to keep from drowning.
SALUTE!
I know where I'm going next time im in Philly.
Amazing story and food. Hopefully this gets more recognized, and society will be more open to give people another chance to prove themselves. With the economic downfall the country has been dealing with, doesn't it seem smart to promote things like this?
The problem is that if you have 50+ applications why would you put the prisoners on top of that stack do they deserve it more than someone who didn't get a criminal record? If there is nobody applying sure but I don't see why anyone with a criminal record should be chosen over someone who does not unless they are truly more qualified
@@MrTranzformer1 I would say yes. Wouldn't other companies do the same thing for non convicts?
Break down all those barriers. This is amazing. I really hope you're able to spread out across the US. Give some hope and save some lives. Not to mention that pizza looks incredible!
Everyone should watch this, wishing these dudes all the best moving forward. That pizza looks incredibly delicious!!!
My whole life I grew up watching my 2 older brothers be in and out of prison. If they had a place like this maybe they would have been home more
What happened with these men that sets them on a different path, outside of the life they were living when they went to prison. I truly wish them the best and applaud their efforts to create change in the community. Good stuff men! Plus, that pizza looks 🔥.
As a Detroiter, this pizza looks amazing and I wanna try it. As a detroiter, this story is inspiring.
this is so wholesome. no words, just a mad amount of respect
TY First We Great for standing up for our fellow Americans. ❤❤❤❤ Beautiful
Okay, now I want to go to Philly not just to taste that amazing pizza, but to meet these wonderful humans. This video filled me we hope and positivity and these men need to know that!
Need more of this in this country. Hats off to these men.
Their Eater video was so awesome! Love these guys. I’ve been looking into how to donate some tools to them so they don’t have to use a hand wrench to pull the pizza boxes
This episode is special and wonderful. Please keep making these.
13:13
"It's lonely at the top"
**Amazing story** & would LOVE to hear the SONG ❤ LETS GO!
Love this. This type of coverage is important. Thank you FWF and Down North.
People make mistakes. You gotta be able to move forward. Good job.
Some don't even make "mistakes". Some simply possess drugs and thats enough to have your entire life ruined. Its a tragedy and it completely waters down the word "criminal"
This whole doc was amazing. More of this please and a catch up to see where they are a year from now!
Thank you for doing this series. It’s educating us on issues that are sooo important that are not talked about a lot, so thank you. 🙏🏼
Thank you for putting this out.
This is such a great project, im sharing this to all my friends❤❤
This is so touching and heart warming ❤❤❤
I love this. Looking forward to the rest of the series. If I'm ever in Philly I'll make sure to drop by.
this is a great start to a new series. this was really good
They have been doing such great work for years here in Philly, love to see this feature
DOPE episode! Need more of this!
Love that story, more power to you my brothers
Bring this to Chicago I’ll eat here for lunch every day. Big ups to Down North!
Great series. Love to find these gems.
Nothing but love and respect for the men of Down North. 🔥
Good for you. That's awesome. Continued success.
Salute to these brothers for making good food and changing lives...I love it
really great watch. respect all around
Great job... keep up the hustle
I love this show! More please 🙏🏾
Amazing Episode
I hope to see Down North here in MN 😭❤️ this was really good I loved it
Those pizzas look downright beautiful. Those are works of art right there.
beautiful work!
Best Episode yet!!!
Giving back to the community & Good Eats!! Keep up the *amazing* work fellas 😆🫶🏽💪🏾
Very happy y'all decided to do this. Big love for my city in from K&A I know what my brothers talking about one pizza at a time get em!
This was an awesome episode.!!!!
This is awesome. Kudos
Beautiful thing!!!!!!!!! Keep up the great work fellas, ❤❤❤❤❤
What they are doing is a beautiful thing! Can't wait to see Down North in my area! I'll definitely frequent the place! Keep up the good work!
There definitely needs to be some changes about not hiring people for a spotty past.
Love it guy’s getting a another chance and serving their community awesome!
This is precious! ❤❤❤
These guys rock. Love it.
Inspiration right here!!
LOVE THIS!!!
Super inspirational!!!
I love this..... There is always hope. And those Pizzas look BOSS!!
Good job keep up the good work
This is an amazing story
Man this is one of the best videos 📹 I ever seen in my life! The cause and transition!
props to this
Great story and amazing passion. I’m hungry now 😭👏🏿
So cool- Massive Support!
Great story, heartbreaking that the farm is right ouside the gate and they can't even share the food.
Contracts. That's how people make their money.
Just discovered the "food heros" portion of first we feast and this is the 3rd video I've watched. To everyone involved with Down North yall are doing great things and I hope you can expand especially if it's closer to the west coast those pizzas look delicious
Amazing vid, we need more positivity. People need to see stories like this!
Feels like I'm watching a Channel 5 news piece, I hope you guys keep this type of thing up interspersed with the other content it really speaks to the type of people y'all are and the change you want to see in the world.
Beautiful. All I gotta say to describe dis vid
i love this story
Loved that one! Have to go there once I visit Philly. ♥️😊