Press Archive

If you are a member of the press that would like to cover Inspiration Corporation for a story, please contact Mary Coy, Chief Development Officer at (312) 626-5816 or mcoy@inspirationcorp.org

 

Food stamp change fuels anxiety as states try to curb impact

Associated Press
March, 2020

Inspiration Corporation was featured in a national news piece about changes to SNAP and our efforts to mitigate impact of these changes. 

50,000 Cook County residents will lose food stamps if they don’t find work soon, and the clock is ticking

Chicago Tribune
January, 2020

Inspiration Kitchens will be working with the state to offer additional slots in our Foodservice Training progam to help mitigate the impact of this rule change.

Inspiration Kitchens in East Garfield Park helps the homeless while feeding the public

ABC 7
October, 2019

ABC 7 stopped by Inspiration Kitchens restaurant to profile our Foodservice Training program.

A Passion for Cooking Becomes a Career Path in East Garfield Park

The Chicago Community Trust
September, 2019

As a recipient of a Unity Fund grant, Inspiration Corporation was featured in a video about our Foodservice Training program.

7 Vital Organizations That Confront Poverty

Ezvid Wiki
September, 2019

Inspiration Corporation was included in a video list of organizations devoted to confronting poverty.

Neighborhoods Matter: Off the Record with former mayoral candidate Amara Enyia in Garfield Park

WGN Radio
April, 2019

Amara Enyia stopped by Inspiration Kitchens to record an interview about the neighborhood.

Inspiration Kitchens: The Work that Gives Back

The Torch
April, 2019

Inspiration Kitchens (and our Foodservice Training program) is described as a place that provides a second chance to those who thought they would never get one. 

Chicago Parent Recommends Giving to Inspiration Corporation This Thanksgiving

Chicago Parent
November, 2018

We received a recommendation as one of four Chicagoland charities to support for the Thanksgiving holiday.


Chicago Parent Recommends Giving to Inspiration Corporation This Thanksgiving

Chicago Parent
November, 2018

We received a recommendation as one of four Chicagoland charities to support for the Thanksgiving holiday.


Inspiration Corporation Featured on “Fathers Who Care-Weekly Television Show”

CAN-TV
September, 2017

Inspiration Corporation’s Chazle Woodley appears with one of our Foodservice graduates on  the West Side Community Stakeholders “Fathers Who Care – Weekly Television Show” 

Very Good Brunch Spot is Actually Changing Lives

Food & Wine
September, 2017

A nonprofit restaurant on the city’s west side helps struggling Chicagoans find a path to self-reliance.

Inspiration Corporation’s CEO Shannon Stewart featured on WGN’s Opening Bell

WGN Radio
December, 2016

Shannon stopped by the studio to talk about Inspiration Corporation’s mission and services. 

Uptown Restaurant With Mission to Help Homeless Closes

WTTW-Chicago Tonight
August, 2016

A North Side restaurant employing people grappling with homelessness closed its doors for good on Sunday

Inspiration Kitchens, Uptown’s Unique Social Enterprise Restaurant, Closing at Month’s End

Chicago Eater
July, 2016

The owners of Inspiration Kitchens in Uptown have announced that they’re closing on July 31. The restaurant is backed by Inspiration Corp., a charity that provides social services to the poor.

Benefit Chicago Hopes Investors Will Bet on Community Projects

Chicago Magazine
May, 2016

Inspiration Corporation was honored to be invited to participate in the launch of this community investment program led by Benefit Chicago, a collaboration between the MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust and the Calvert Foundation.

Chicago Architect: A Good Balance

Chicago Architect
January, 2016

American Institute of Architect (AIA) Chicago’s Zurich Esposito interviewed Chris-Annmarie Spencer for Chicago Architect at Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park. A project architect with Wheeler Kearns, Spencer was project architect for our 80-seat social enterprise restaurant and training facility.

The Best Charities in Chicago

Chicago Magazine
November, 2015

Inspiration Corporation was honored to be selected as one of Chicago magazine’s 20 standout nonprofits to support. Foodservice Training graduate, Latepa Long, was profiled for her new role at University Center.

The Best Charities in Chicago

Chicago Magazine
November, 2015

Inspiration Corporation was honored to be selected as one of Chicago magazine’s 20 standout nonprofits to support. Foodservice Training graduate, Latepa Long, was profiled for her new role at University Center.

Inspiration Kitchens Serves Up Great Food For a Great Cause

NBC 5
April, 2015

Tania Pacheco reviews the food and service at Inspiration Kitchens in East Garfield Park and Uptown.

How I Give Back: Sharon Ako

Lux & Concord
March, 2015

Kaleigh Glaza of the daily women’s lifestyle site profiled our Chef Training Manager, Sharon Ako, to highlight her contributions to the City of Chicago.

Chicago’s Best Giving Back: Inspiration Kitchens

Chicago’s Best TV
December, 2014

Chicago’s Best visited Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park to interview program graduate and superstar, Arnold, who brought his skills from the Foodservice Training program to his work at the Green Tomato Cafe.

A positive path from jail into the kitchen

Chicago Tribune
December, 2014

Slowly but surely the U.S. economy is generating jobs again, which could be great news for Remicko George and his lemon poppy-seed muffins.

Freeborn & Peters attorney finds 2nd home at nonprofit

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
June, 2013

General Council and Board Member, John Sapiro, talks about his experience with Inspiration Corporation.

Guide to Charitable Giving in Chicago

Chicago Magazine
December, 2012

Inspiration Corporation is honored to be chosen as one of Chicago Magazine’s top 15 gold standard charities.

Inspiration Cafe / Today’s Chicago Woman

Chicago Magazine
November 30, 2012

We were honored to see this profile of Inspiration Cafe with thoughts from Executive Director & CEO, Shannon Stewart, in Today’s Chicago Woman.

The Feed: Four Cafes with Charitable Causes

Time Out Chicago
November 22-28, 2012

Time Out Chicago featured Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park in this piece on four social enterprise cafes in Chicago that promote social welfare.

Overnight Storms Not Enough To Break Drought

CBS2 Chicago
July 19, 2012

Our very own case manager Michael Webb was interviewed by CBS2 Chicago about the effect that the summer drought had on the community garden at Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park.

Spotlight: Inspiration Kitchens

gb&d magazine
July/Aug/Sept 2012

Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park and Wheeler Kearns Architects are featured in this issue of Green Building & Design (gb&d) magazine.

Best Place to Eat Fried Green Tomatoes…

Chicago Reader, Best of Chicago 2012
June 20, 2012

After an exhaustive search of Chicago, Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park was voted Best Place to Eat Fried Green Tomatoes.

On the West Side, Unemployment Gets a Chance to Learn a Recipe for Success

Chicago Tribune
February 4, 2012

The Chicago Tribune profiles the programs, students and food at Inspiration Kitchens – Garfield Park in its first year of operation.

Remarkable Woman: Lisa Nigro

Chicago Tribune
February 3, 2012

An interview with Inspiration Corporation’s founder, Lisa Nigro.

Inspiration Kitchens Prepares Cooks-To-Be

Chicago Tribune
January 25, 2012

The Chicago Tribune offers a pictoral profile of an Inspiration Kitchens class.

Inspiration Corporation Named Winner of Chicago Cause 2011

PR Newswire
September 16, 2011

Chicago Cause, a partnership of four Chicago-based media companies, selected Inspiration Corporation to receive more than $32,000 worth of web design; video production services; social media training; email marketing and public relations consulting.  The program was spearheaded by Orbit Media Studios, in partnership with Lightspan Digital, ShiftFocus Productions and Flanigan Communications, Inc.