After a traumatic past and struggles with addiction led her through our doors, Madeline was eager to begin a new chapter in our Foodservice Training program. Despite fears about her background, she discovered a welcoming environment that provided the opportunity to pursue her passion for culinary arts and nutrition education. She’s now stably employed and continues to encourage others through her compassion and dedication. Read more about Madeline's success here.
Located on Chicago’s west side in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, Inspiration Kitchens is our restaurant and Foodservice Training program site. Since 2001, Inspiration Kitchens has offered low-income individuals struggling to find work the opportunity to learn to cook professionally at a real restaurant open to the paying public, helping them gain the skills and experience they need to build a career in the food service industry.
Our 12-week Foodservice Training program is free to participants, and includes hands-on instruction, kitchen demonstrations, classroom culinary instruction, nutrition education, and employment and life skills classes. We also provide them with the services they need to overcome obstacles like homelessness, criminal backgrounds, mental or physical disabilities, substance addictions, and mental illness.
In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation helps people who are affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives and increase self-sufficiency through the provision of social services, employment training and placement, and housing.