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.
If you are a member of the press that would like to cover Inspiration Corporation for a story, please contact Evan Cauble-Johnson, Chief Development Officer at (773) 878-0981 x204 or ejohnson@inspirationcorp.org.
Inspiration Corporation was featured in a national news piece about changes to SNAP and our efforts to mitigate impact of these changes.
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.
ABC 7 stopped by Inspiration Kitchens restaurant to profile our Foodservice Training program.
As a recipient of a Unity Fund grant, Inspiration Corporation was featured in a video about our Foodservice Training program.
Inspiration Corporation was included in a video list of organizations devoted to confronting poverty.
Amara Enyia stopped by Inspiration Kitchens to record an interview about the neighborhood.
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.
We received a recommendation as one of four Chicagoland charities to support for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Inspiration Corporation's Chazle Woodley appears with one of our Foodservice graduates on the West Side Community Stakeholders "Fathers Who Care - Weekly Television Show"
A nonprofit restaurant on the city's west side helps struggling Chicagoans find a path to self-reliance.
Center Coast Realty puts on a comedy show in order to benefit Inspiration Corporation.
Shannon stopped by the studio to talk about Inspiration Corporation's mission and services.
WTTW-Chicago Tonight
August, 2016
A North Side restaurant employing people grappling with homelessness closed its doors for good on Sunday
ABC7
July, 2016
Inspiration Kitchens located on Chicago's Westside, in Garfield Park, is a full service dining facility that serves contemporary American food.
Reboot Illinois
July, 2016
Inspiration Corporation gives ex-felons, the homeless, and unemployed people the chance to learn the necessary skills to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
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.
Chicago Tribune
June, 2016
The The Suburban Chapter of Impact 100 Chicago, a philanthropic women's organization, awarded two transformational $100,000 Impact Grants and two $5,000 Merit Grants to Chicago-area nonprofits at its annual Grant Award Celebration held at Arlington Park in Arlington Heights on June 7.
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
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.
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.
Thriving Malls
June, 2015
Molly Sprayregen reviews her experience at Inspiration Kitchens - Uptown for General Growth Property's retail industry trade blog.
NBC 5
April, 2015
Tania Pacheco reviews the food and service at Inspiration Kitchens in East Garfield Park and Uptown.
ABC 7
April, 2015
Ryan and Ji from Windy City Live interviewed Caesarei Marsh and Evan Johnson at Inspiration Corporation to talk about his inspiring personal story and the work being done by the agency.
Fox 32 News
March, 2015
Every Monday, Jake Hamilton shows us some of the great spots Chicago's neighborhoods have to offer! This week, Jake took a trip to Garfield Park!
The Chew
March, 2015
ABC's national talkshow profiled Samara Hightower who trained and now works at Inspiration Kitchens - Garfield Park.
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 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.
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.
Miss A
March, 2014
One Inspired Evening fundraiser highlights.
Chicago Tribune
November, 2013
Anna never thought a job could be the path toward personal fulfillment.
Chicago Daily Law Bulletin
June, 2013
General Council and Board Member, John Sapiro, talks about his experience with Inspiration Corporation.
Time Out Chicago
April, 2013
Classic Dixie dishes are popping up all over Chicago.
Chicago Tribune
December, 2012
Dedicated volunteers come out to support Inspiration Cafe during the holidays.
Chicago Magazine
December, 2012
Inspiration Corporation is honored to be chosen as one of Chicago Magazine's top 15 gold standard charities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MATA Traders blog/website
March 28, 2012
MATA Traders chose Inspiration Corporation as their April 2012 Charity of the Month and official "Coolest Place To Volunteer".
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.
Chicago Tribune
February 3, 2012
An interview with Inspiration Corporation’s founder, Lisa Nigro.
Chicago Tribune
January 25, 2012
The Chicago Tribune offers a pictoral profile of an Inspiration Kitchens class.
Wilco
December 20, 2011
Wilco’s December show at Lincoln Hall benefited Inspiration Corporation, raising over $63,000 in support of homeless and low-income Chicagoans.
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.
LISC/Chicago’s New Community Programs
August 6, 2010
An early profile of Inspiration Kitchens - Garfield Park soon after ground breaking, and a discussion of how the restaurant would come to impact life in East Garfield Park.
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.