OUR
MICROBUSINESSES
Our microbusinesses are created to help participants build valuable social and life skills through hands-on, meaningful experiences. Explore our unique opportunities below.
Christmas
Gift Tags
Participants take part in our Gift Tag Project, where they create and sell unique gift tags made from recycled Christmas cards. Each participant has a specific role in the process—cutting, hole punching, measuring ribbon, or trimming cards to size—making it a true team effort. This activity promotes creativity, fine motor skills, and teamwork while supporting environmental sustainability. We gladly accept donations of used Christmas cards to help keep this meaningful project going.
Shred
It
“Shred It” is a confidential shredding micro-business that’s highly popular among participants. They manage every part of the process — from removing paperclips/staples to weighing and shredding materials. Customers sign an agreement and can choose to be invoiced or pay upon delivery. We accept Mastercard, Visa, debit, and cash. All participants contribute, whether by tearing documents or operating the shredder. Our clients include several local businesses and individual donors. The service rate is $0.40 per pound.
Snack
Attack
The participants deliver baskets of chips, chocolate bars and YLS Candy Bagz to supporting businesses. This small program teaches supply and demand, customer service, money skills and so much more.
Refundable Program
We collect refundable items such as bottles, cans, juice boxes, and alcohol containers. Participants are responsible for cleaning, sorting, and counting the items before taking them to the Enviro Depot for recycling. The refunds earned from these efforts help fund participant parties and recreational activities.
Pop
Tabs
Pop tabs from cans are collected year-round and sent to Summer Street Industries in New Glasgow, where they are recycled to help purchase wheelchairs. It takes approximately 3,032 tabs (about one pound) to generate $0.50, and a transport wheelchair—valued at $500—requires roughly 3,032,000 tabs. The proceeds from recycling are donated to the March of Dimes, supporting their Assistive Devices Program, which provides essential mobility equipment for individuals in need.
Canteen
Participants operate a successful in-house canteen, providing them with valuable hands-on experience in customer service, inventory management, stocking, supply and demand, cash handling, and balancing funds. The canteen is open three times a day, giving participants regular opportunities to apply and strengthen these practical skills.
Rentals
Looking for a professional and comfortable space for your next gathering? Yarmouth Life Skills offers flexible daily and monthly meeting room rentals. Call us today at
902-742-7744 to learn more about
our available options.