According to a 2024 City Colleges of Chicago basic needs survey, 50% of students identified as food insecure. Many of these students are balancing school while supporting themselves and their families, and more than 60% of associate degree graduates are the first in their families to attend college, often facing greater financial barriers as they work toward completing their education.
The Greater Chicago Food Depository has partnered with City Colleges to help address these challenges. Our on-campus food pantries, including the newly remodeled and expanded Statesman Market at Kennedy-King College, provide students with access to healthy food when they need it most.
But addressing food insecurity also means investing in students' futures by creating conditions that allow individuals and families to thrive tomorrow. Building on this vision, the Food Depository launched an apprenticeship program for City Colleges students during the 2025-2026 academic year.
Promoting economic mobility
The apprenticeship program is designed to promote economic mobility and reduce the risk of food insecurity among City Colleges students now and into the future. The paid, 12-month experience offers meaningful work, mentorship opportunities, career readiness, training and connections to potential employers. Through this model, apprentices gain valuable skills and hands-on experience in their fields of study, preparing to compete for well-paid careers.
Anne Kearney (pictured left) with the first cohort of apprentices
For Anne Kearney, senior manager of workforce development, who oversees the apprenticeship program, the initiative goes beyond job training.
" A true sense of economic mobility also immensely influences one's sense of independence and confidence, as well as their belonging in community,” she said. “Knowing that you are wanted and needed in the labor force is powerful."
Over the past year, a cohort of five apprentices has embarked on a journey of learning, growth and professional development while contributing to our mission of ending hunger in Chicago and Cook County.
Meaningful experiences
Jennifer Pigue completed her development apprenticeship while earning her business administration degree at Kennedy-King College.
For Jennifer Pigue, who apprenticed with our development department, the opportunity came at a pivotal moment in her life. She’s a new, first-time mother, who is also helping care for her mother while balancing school and working two jobs to support her family.
“I've experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to manage financial responsibilities and personal goals at the same time," she said. "This program has helped me see the importance of career development, financial stability, and having access to resources that support working families."
The experience not only strengthened her professional skills but also deepened her confidence and belief in what is possible for her family's future.
Donovan Bryant completed his IT apprenticeship while earning his computer science degree at Harold Washington College.
Similarly, Donovan Bryant entered the program while balancing work, school, and family responsibilities, hoping to break into the technology field.
"The apprenticeship gave me an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in IT while continuing my education, which helped turn a long-term goal into a realistic career path," he said.
For Bryant, the experience reinforced that a career in technology was not only attainable but one in which he could succeed and make a meaningful impact.
Jorge Flores completed his data analytics and IT apprenticeship while earning his cybersecurity degree at Wilbur Wright College.
For Jorge Flores, apprenticing at the Food Depository revealed how technical skills and human connections go hand in hand.
“Through my work in IT, I saw how protecting systems is important, but also how protecting and helping users is just as critical," he said.
Working in both Data Analytics and IT exposed Flores to multiple career paths and helped him gain confidence in his abilities while preparing for the next steps in his education and career.
Building career pathways
The apprenticeship program’s impact extends beyond professional development. As apprentices gained experience and built their skills, they became valuable members of teams across the Food Depository, bringing fresh perspectives and meaningful contributions to the mission. The experience also helped open doors to new career opportunities and the next steps in their professional journeys.
Jamari Griffin completed his development apprenticeship while earning his sustainability studies degree at Harold Washington College.
For Jamari Griffin, the apprenticeship offered something he had been searching for: work that felt meaningful. "When I started, I was working in retail, and I was going to school, and I wanted to do something that was more fulfilling. I wanted to help in my community," he said.
Through his work in Development, Griffin helped raise more than $1 million to support the Food Depository's mission.
“I never thought that I would get to help at the capacity that I have.”
Before the apprenticeship ended, Griffin accepted a position with the Food Depository's Partner Services team, where he will continue supporting the mission of ending hunger in Cook County.
Hector Garcia completed his marketing and communications apprenticeship while earning his business administration degree at Harold Washington College.
Hector Garcia found similar growth during his time with the marketing and communications team. "My experience at the Food Depository has been one of learning, confidence-building, and connection," he said.
Through his work on social media management, marketing campaigns, event planning, and advocacy efforts, Garcia gained hands-on experience in communications while helping tell the stories behind the Food Depository's mission. The apprenticeship helped him build a professional portfolio, secure a full-time position as a marketing and communications specialist and even contribute to sharing the experiences of his fellow apprentices through writing this blog post.
“I have fallen in love with human-centered missions and working with my team," he said. "I have learned so much from each one of them. I take their passion for the work, their sense of community, and a support system that I know will last a lifetime."
While each apprentice's journey has been unique, their stories share a common theme: meaningful opportunities can change the trajectory of a career, strengthen financial stability and create lasting connections. Together, their experiences demonstrate the power of investing in people and the impact that investment can have on individuals, families and communities.
Looking ahead
What began as a pilot cohort of five apprentices has already demonstrated the value of investing in the next generation of talent. This month the Food Depository is excited to welcome nine new apprentices who will embark on the same journey of learning, professional development, and service.
Nine new apprentices ready to embark on a transformative journey.
Their participation represents more than an expansion of the program; it is an investment in stronger careers, stronger communities, and a future where more individuals have access to the opportunities, they need to thrive. By creating pathways to economic mobility today, we are helping build a more equitable and hunger-free tomorrow.
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