Youth Work Experience Program (Y-WE)

Home Market is honored to participate in the Youth Work Experience Program (Y-WE), organized by the Corporate Development Initiative Alliance (CDIA). This program aims to help underprivileged high school students identify their career aspirations early.

Supported by the Lee Shau Kee Foundation, Home Market is a social enterprise that sells food and essential items to low-income citizens at near-cost prices. It also employs individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, providing them with on-the-job training and employment opportunities to foster professional and personal development.

Through the Y-WE program, “Men” (a pseudonym) completed a five-day work experience at Home Market. During this time, he interacted with customers and store managers, learning valuable soft skills such as empathy and teamwork.

Although the five-day internship wasn’t a “magic wand” that could instantly transform “Men”  into an excellent store clerk, the encouragement and guidance from the store manager and colleagues helped him achieve zero errors in cash handling, boosting his confidence in his abilities. He also meticulously organized products on the shelves, making it easier for customers to shop, which earned him praise for his attention to detail. During a store tour with the regional manager, “Men” observed the varying needs of low-income citizens in different areas, inspiring him to consider a future career in social services.

“Men”  expressed his gratitude to Home Market and the store managers Yu, Zhen, Amy, and his colleagues. Through his participation in the operations of this social enterprise, he gained a deeper understanding of how social enterprises support vulnerable communities, enhancing his awareness of social responsibility and meaningful career paths.