“You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job.”
You've likely heard the saying, and this rings especially true for young people who have yet to enter the workforce or are precariously employed. YOU saw an opportunity to create safe spaces where youth can learn new skills back in 1996 when we started our first social enterprise, Reuse It Recycling, now known as YOU Made It Recycling.
Today YOU operates additional social enterprises including Mushed by YOU preserves, the YOU Made It Café, and the YOU Made It Woodshop. These businesses serve as training facilities, with expert mentors at each site to teach youth ages 15-29 work and life skills.
We like to think our social enterprise products are a win-win-win for the community, and here’s why… A local young person receives skills training, our customers receive high-quality handmade products, and the sales support more youth in accessing skills training! Creating products with a purpose is so meaningful, and every customer who purchases from us is a part of that meaningful story.
This paid training gives youth in London Middlesex hands on experience they can carry with them on their career path. Having a tangible product in their hand at the end of the day that they personally created builds endless confidence, and watching a young person flourish from the beginning to end of training is a heartwarming transformation!”
- Justine Downing, Social Enterprise Business Liaison
Product Highlights
Shop the YOU Store and support local youth in training!
Show your support for YOU with a double-walled 16oz coffee tumbler and a half-pound bag of Patrick's Beans exclusive Opportunity Blend coffee; a blend of Ethiopian Sidamo and Honduras roasts.
Our Ultimate BBQ Caddy Set has everything you need to grill all summer long! Including YOU's newly designed BBQ Condiment Caddy, a 2 pack of cedar grilling planks, a cedar BBQ Scraper, and our Mushed by YOU Black Jack BBQ Sauce.
A little sweet, a little savoury - this gift box has it all! Featuring Patrick's Beans exclusive Opportunity Blend medium roast coffee, cedar BBQ Scraper, YOU branded coasters, Mushed by YOU Apple Butter, Peach Salsa and Black Jack BBQ Sauce!
Send a care package to someone you love – we’ll ship anywhere in Canada!
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“Training was fun, informative, and very helpful. I got a new look on saving and spending money. Also, prepping and making jam was so fun and taught me how to weigh out items and follow recipes.” – Brianne
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Local youth received skills training in 202010,000+
Jars of jam produced in 2020 (that's almost 2000L!)400+
Gift baskets sold in 20209
New retail partners"As a local business in London, we were ecstatic to start carrying Mushed products in support of Youth Opportunities Unlimited. To be able to support such a great organization and be able to aid in giving local youth the support, education and programs they deserve is so important to us and our family." – Carmelina, Angelo’s Italian Market
Where to Find Us
Check out our online store or visit one of our retail partners: