Working Together to Provide Food Assistance to Hard Working Young Adults

Recently, we worked with the Urban Corps to provide nutritious food and additional supplies at the first in a series of food drives held specifically for its members and their families at no cost. These drives were made possible by a grant from the County of San Diego and donations from key partners, which included Feeding San Diego, ProduceGood, Guild Mortgage, and Mission Federal Credit Union. 

“For our Corpsmembers, as well as for many others in our county, it’s important to remember that recovery for some demographics may look vastly different from the recovery of others,” says Kyle Kennedy, CEO of Urban Corps of San Diego. “Young adults who have struggled the most may need continued support even after many others in the county, or perhaps even the majority, have “effectively” returned to their pre-pandemic ways of life.” 

A Helping Hand

Like so many groups of people over the past year, young adults face continued hardships caused by the pandemic. The Urban Corps of San Diego County has long been an organization that uplifts this community. As a certified local conservation corps, Urban Corps’ mission is to provide at-risk young adults between the ages of 18 and 26 a second chance to earn their high school diplomas, while gaining work experience within their local communities. The program provides skills training, case management support, career counseling, and job placement opportunities. While many Corpsmembers receive CalFresh, CalWorks, or other services through public assistance programs, some students continue to experience food insecurity and financial hardship. 

At the first drive, held on Wednesday, April 14, 140 Corpsmember families were served. This worked out to about 600 people. These families received a combination of fresh produce and meat, canned goods, pasta, and other non-perishables. 2,100 pounds of goods were distributed that day. Additional drives will be held in June and August.  

Get Involved  

Urban Corps exists to serve the futures of many of the young adults in our county. They specifically serve young adults aged 18 to 26 who are looking to better their lives by obtaining their high school diplomas at the organization’s charter school, while receiving paid job training by staff members. Urban Corps is ready to serve more of our county’s young adults, both at its main San Diego campus, and at its North County location. To fill out an application and get involved, visit urbancorpssd.org/join.