Gear Unlimited: Youth Employment Meets Entrepreneurship

Youth-Operated Merchandise Store

At Youth Unlimited Edmonton (YUE), we believe youth thrive when they’re given the chance to use their creativity, build confidence, and step into meaningful opportunities. That’s why we’re launching a youth-operated online merchandise store—an initiative designed not only to help teens dream up bold new designs, but also to give them real-world experience in running a business.

From sketching a logo to packing an order, youth will be involved in every step. Along the way, they’ll pick up practical skills in areas like digital design, marketing, teamwork, and customer service—skills they can carry into future jobs and education.

This project will create impact in three key ways:

1. A space for youth to express themselves: Selling their own designs will show young people their ideas matter and help them build confidence.

2. Employment and training opportunities: Hands-on experience will prepare youth for future work while also teaching leadership and responsibility.

3. Giving back to the community: Proceeds from the store will support YUE youth centres, meaning participants aren’t just working for themselves—they’re helping other teens find safe spaces and mentorship too.

At its heart, this project is about empowerment. Youth won’t just be employees; they’ll be creators, entrepreneurs, and community builders. Together, they’ll see that their ideas and efforts can make a real difference—not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others.

The 1,200 youth who will benefit from this project come from diverse backgrounds across Edmonton, many facing barriers such as poverty, food insecurity, family instability, and social isolation. Some are newcomers adjusting to life in a new country, while others are navigating the challenges of unstable housing, struggles with mental health, or limited access to supportive adults in their lives.

Despite these challenges, these young people are bright, creative, and full of potential. What they often lack are the opportunities and safe spaces to explore their talents, build confidence, and gain the skills that will carry them into adulthood.

Through this project, youth will have the chance to design and sell their own merchandise, develop practical business and employment skills, and take pride in creating something meaningful. Beyond personal growth, they’ll also experience the power of giving back—knowing that proceeds from their work help sustain the very youth centres that support them and their friends.

For many of these 1,200 youth, this will be their first experience of employment or entrepreneurship, and it will equip them with transferable skills in leadership, teamwork, technology, and problem-solving. Most importantly, it will remind them that their ideas matter, their voices are valuable, and their community believes in their potential.