Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise: Because Work Works

Our youth-led business is the backbone of our sustainability, covering nearly half of our program costs. But the real reason is simple: Work Works.

Why Social Enterprise?

Because too often, young people are seen as problems to be fixed rather than active participants in their own solutions. Through our work-based social enterprise, youth gain real-world job experience and all the benefits that come with it: a paycheck, the value of being part of a team, constructive feedback, performance reviews, and opportunities for promotion and leadership. This approach empowers them to take ownership of their future and build the skills they need to thrive.

Social Enterprises: Be Seen, Supported and give an Opportunity

Fitrah is built on a simple but powerful belief: young people can thrive when they are seen, supported, and given real opportunities to grow. Over time, we created our own vocational training pathways—our social enterprise and our automotive shop—so youth could gain hands-on experience, build skills, and step into meaningful roles. As our programs expand, we continue proving what we’ve always known: when youth are trusted with responsibility and meaningful work, they rise.

Performance & Competencies

On every shift youth track attendance, rate themselves and their peers on professionalism and engagement, and reflect on core competencies designed to support their career trajectory.

Our Social Enterprises

Fitrah was known as the "book people," and while that identity still defines us, we've evolved into something much broader. Our social enterprises now play a key role in youth empowerment, and as we've grown, we've found innovative ways to connect with and strengthen our community.

Connecting youth and community through meaningful work.

Pop-Up Shops

Our pop-up shops allow youth to step into real-world retail experience—greeting customers, managing sales, and sharing the mission of Fitrah with the community.

Youth running the store. Skills that shape their future.

Online Reselling

Through our youth-led online thrift store, young people take charge of inventory, shipping, customer support, and digital operations. It’s a hands-on training ground where they build real business skills and gain the confidence to step into future career opportunities.

Shop with purpose. Support the missions our youth care about.

Fitrah's Online Gift Shop

Our youth-run online gift shop features products with missions that matter to our young people—such as supporting Black-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, organizations helping homeless youth, and many more. Every item reflects causes they care deeply about, and every purchase helps keep Fitrah’s programs sustainable so we can continue empowering the next generation.

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It’s our business. It’s our job. It’s putting the power in youths’ hands. Working boosted my confidence and made me feel like this isn’t just school or a camp.

- Tris, Graduate

During every shift we have lots of opportunities to step up and do more than what’s expected. That can be arriving early or staying late to support the shift to reach its goals. It can be helping out others on shift if you finish your tasks early. We work on leadership with things like tours, volunteer groups, and speaking at events. But leadership is also doing the little things like noticing we’re out of shipping labels and replacing them without being asked.”

– Nick, Graduate