Sugary Stop (Youth-Led Social Enterprise)

A Program of the Wezesha Dada Center (WDC)

The Sugary Stop is a youth-led social enterprise that gives young people their first real job experience while teaching them the skills, discipline, and confidence needed to thrive in school, work, and life. Through hands-on learning, mentorship, and real customer interactions, youth learn how to operate a business, solve problems, and build the social-emotional strengths that help them succeed long after the program ends.

Building Confidence, Leadership, and Social-Emotional Skills

The Sugary Stop helps young people develop essential personal skills. Youth grow in:

• Resiliency — learning to adapt and recover from challenges
• Confidence — discovering their strengths through real experience
• Leadership — taking initiative and responsibility
• Communication — expressing themselves clearly with peers, adults, and customers
• Conflict Navigation — managing disagreements in healthy, non-escalatory ways

These experiences support young people in school, at home, and in future workplaces.

Healthy Conflict Navigation & Real-World Relationship Skills

Youth practice positive conflict resolution by:

• Resolving disagreements without escalation
• Communicating needs and boundaries respectfully
• Collaborating with teammates under pressure
• Navigating accountability and shared responsibility

These skills prepare youth for jobs, internships, and leadership roles.

Hands-On Business Skills Through Real Entrepreneurial Experience

Youth learn practical business skills such as:

• Customer service
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Money handling and budgeting
• Problem-solving during busy days
• Basic business planning and understanding revenue

Youth Earn Stipends — Real Pay for Real Work

Youth earn stipends at the Denver minimum-wage rate, which helps them:

• Learn financial literacy
• Build responsibility
• Reduce financial barriers
• Participate equally

This is often their first paid job experience.

A Pathway to Economic Mobility

The Sugary Stop helps youth:

• Discover their strengths
• Build economic awareness
• Prepare for future jobs or business ideas
• Envision long-term careers

The Sugary Stop is more than a business — it is a transformative learning experience that equips young people with the confidence, skills, and support they need to build stronger futures.

Want to support the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Join us as a volunteer and help us keep these youth-led events going strong.

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