Many young people face barriers to employment, including limited work experience and access to hands-on training. YOU’s social enterprises exist to help remove those barriers.
By operating real businesses, YOU creates safe and supportive environments where youth can learn practical skills, understand workplace expectations, and build confidence through real work. All proceeds from YOU's social enterprise products are reinvested into the youth programming we offer, helping sustain these opportunities for young people in our community.
How It Works
Youth participate in YOU's social enterprises through structured training programs, designed to mirror real work environments.
Youth participants:
- Learn industry-specific skills through hands-on work
- Work alongside expert mentors and peers with professional experience
- Build confidence, teamwork, and communication skills
- Gain experience that supports future employment or education
Training takes place within YOU's social enterprises, including the YOU Made It Café and the YOU Made It Woodshop.
To explore training opportunities within YOU’s social enterprises, contact Youth Employment Services at info@you.ca / 519-432-1112 or complete the form below. A member of our team will follow up to talk about training opportunities and next steps.
“The biggest impact that the program has made on my life is learning skills that I’ve never had before like tracking inventory, making jams, salsas and jellies. Also it has helped me improve my customer service, housekeeping and organizing skills. The workshops that I have done will make a pretty big impact in my life, because they improved my knowledge and it also has helped me figure out what I want to do for a career in the future. The program was very helpful and I am glad I did it. I would recommend it to anyone.” - Courtney