The 4-year-old Union Project has received its first federal grant, a $700,000 discretionary award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A group of young Pittsburghers established the Union Project in a former Baptist church at North Negley and Stanton avenues four years ago to create a community gathering place and promote social enterprises.

Executive Director Jessica King said social enterprises will give the project "income-earning potential in a time of decreasing grants and public subsidy."

The grant will help the project complete construction on Union Station -- a social-enterprise cafe partnership with Peabody High School's Culinary Arts Academy. The cafe, which will be open to the public, is expected to open by April, she said.

Two additional social enterprises -- a production pottery business to employ teenagers and a stained glass restoration company -- and a cooperative ceramics art studio are in development. Ms. King said the project's goal is to create 101 jobs over three years and, over a longer term, restore the church sanctuary.

The Union Project has been endowed by grants from the Stuckeman Charitable Trust, the H.J. Heinz Co. Foundation, the Mary Hillman Jennings Foundation and the Allegheny Foundation.