Franchesca connected with the Youth Job Center (YJC) through the Chicago Community Learning Center (CCLC) in the Fall of 2022. Franchesca dreams of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) after recently completing her associate’s degree; she is ready to begin earning her credentials in the healthcare field. She came to YJC prepared to secure her healthcare certifications to pursue her career.

Franchesca initially decided to pursue a career in healthcare because of her daughter. She hopes her career will help her better understand children’s health, allowing her to care for her daughter when she is sick. Franchesca currently works in a healthcare setting, helping people with various conditions. She loves her job because she gets to help and care for people every day. Franchesca prides herself on being a continuous learner and loves working in an industry where she continuously learns new things and expands her knowledge.

We know Franchesca will excel within the healthcare industry, as her biggest strengths are empathy and understanding. She is a people person, and her personality and compassion make her excellent at her work. She is working hard to gain the experience and licenses needed to become a Pediatric Nurse.

Keep up the great work, Franchesca!

The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) Culinary Apprenticeship, a two-year program where young people can explore Culinary Arts as a career path, inaugurated a new cohort during the Summer of 2023 with more spots. Created to give youth (aged 16-24) a chance to get hands-on experience and take their first steps in a possible career in the Culinary Arts, the apprenticeship gives young people a solid skill set base, starting with getting their food handler’s certification, followed by boot camps to hone their culinary skills (knife cuts, baking, savory cooking etc), all while collaborating with the regular operations of the Youth Center – free meal program to all members and a catering operation. Since the beginning of summer, the apprentices supported the preparation of over 7,000 meals and many community outreach events, such as GCYC’s annual benefit, the Comer Tours Benefit.

In addition to that, by connecting with local food businesses, the new cohort was able to experience different sides of the food industry and learn from experienced chefs, such as Head Chef Anthony and Pastry Chef Elaine, from Truth Be Told Tavern inside The Study at the University of Chicago and Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery. These partnerships allowed the apprentices to understand how a new menu item is developed, from conception to execution, and advance their culinary skills with demos and practical activities led by the guest chefs.

Having opened its doors in June 2006, the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center offers positive extracurricular alternatives in a welcoming and safe environment. The mission is to support our youth to graduate from high school prepared to pursue college and careers. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Gary Comer Youth Center draws its primary membership from the youth residing on the South Side of Chicago, focusing on Grand Crossing residents. GCYC is the oldest and largest institution on the Comer Education Campus, including our organizational partners, Gary Comer College Prep High School, the South Shore Drill Team, and Gary Comer Middle School.

Roderic Gatewood Sr., at the age of 43, lives in Mounds, IL, and worked at the City of Mounds as a municipal water maintenance worker. He worked 55-60 hours a week and did not have time or opportunity to get a CDL. The opportunity and time finally presented itself, so he applied and was approved for the WIOA Program. He completed the Truck Driving Program at Shawnee Community College in the Fall 2022 semester. In achieving his occupational goal of being a Truck Driver, he can now focus on obtaining full-time permanent employment at a self-sufficient wage. Roderic stated that being in the WIOA Program helped him focus on school and not worry about finances. He says that it is a fantastic program. The program leaves you with no excuse for not attending college and learning a trade or acquiring a degree.

Two months after completing this program, Roderic was hired to drive a truck for Mounds Oil-Dri Production Company. Roderic says, “I have enjoyed every day since, and I work with a great group of people in a great atmosphere. I haul clay from the ODC clay mine to the production plant in Mounds. It’s a very safe environment, and I am constantly learning daily. I love this job!”

Roderic had been drawing unemployment, but now, he can support himself better due to receiving a good-paying job. Roderic says, “I have a good career because of the WIOA Program. I am grateful Shawnee College offers such a program and several other trade profession courses, i.e., welding, HVAC, and many more. I hope the different programs continue to be available for the public benefit of the surrounding counties. Thanks to Mr. Victor Duckworth and Ms. Sandy of Shawnee Development in Karnak for all their assistance, Mrs. Leslie Weldon, Jaqueline Smith, and Mr. Kelly Jennings of Shawnee College!”