We’re celebrating 10 years by sharing success stories from across San Diego, starting with T, who went from incarceration to Executive Chef through his training at our first kitchen at The Jacobs Center.
T | Culinary Class 18
T transformed his life through Kitchens for Good after previously being incarcerated. He was promoted from training in 2020, the last class to advance before COVID, and went on to fully graduate with his apprenticeship certificate in 2022. Guided by supportive instructors and a dedication to hard work, he honed culinary and life skills that fueled his personal and professional growth, leading him to become the executive chef at Pacific Social, part of one of the largest restaurant groups in the nation. T encourages future students to persevere, knowing that persistence turns setbacks into success.
Deb | Moonlight Class 1
Deb joined Kitchens for Good while newly in recovery and facing barriers to employment due to her past. “I realized that I really like it in the kitchen, and this is where I need to be,” she says, reflecting on her six-month training in baking, culinary, and hospitality. Since graduating, Deb has held many roles at Kitchens for Good, including managing the meal program at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center preparing 800 meals a week, running hunger relief meal production during COVID, creating and serving soup to patrons at The Rady Shell, and now cooking meals for over 300 youth at San Diego’s juvenile detention facilities. Today, she loves helping others facing similar challenges, sharing, “I’ve been there too… if you want this, you can do it,” giving back through mentorship and community support.
Patrick | Culinary Class 40
Patrick was referred to Kitchens for Good by his counselor at a low-income housing program. He first completed a two-week shortened training program designed for opportunity youth, which helped him decide to join the full apprenticeship. Through the program, he developed his culinary and baking skills, healed his relationship with food, and discovered the power of giving back to his community. Patrick plans to work in small, community-focused kitchens before launching his own bakery café and thrift store, and hopes to create a nonprofit to support others in his neighborhood.
Claudia | Baking Class 8
Claudia spent 28 years in the nursing field, loving her work until she lost her job in 2021 due to COVID. Encouraged by a friend, she applied to Kitchens for Good’s baking program and was accepted on her second attempt. Since joining, Claudia has flourished in a professional kitchen, discovering new skills and gaining confidence in a field she had long been passionate about. She describes her experience as humbling and transformative, and she encourages future apprentices to persevere, embrace challenges, and keep moving forward.
This Giving Season your gift is matched up to $50,000, doubling your impact for apprentices like them!