Choices for Youth’s Social Enterprise Hub on LeMarchant Road is now open, with several initiatives already operating out of the building.

Last year, the three levels of government put up $4.3 million to help transform the building, which at the time was just a shell and down to the studs.

Choices for Youth executive director Jen Crowe says they’re now in the new building, with two social enterprises operating – Impact Construction and The Shop.

Crowe says they are also in the process of moving Crust Craft Bakery’s operations to the site, and in a couple of months their Neighbourhood thrift store will be in place as well.

She says their social enterprises are an important step in addressing homelessness and poverty.

Crowe says many of the young people they support face barriers to employment and education.

She says the space will employ upwards of 100 people per year, adding they will be “rapidly” trained, and within nine months transition to either the labour market or post-secondary education.