success stories
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.
press
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.
Food stamp change fuels anxiety as states try to curb impact
Associated PressMarch, 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 TribuneJanuary, 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 7October, 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 TrustSeptember, 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 WikiSeptember, 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 RadioApril, 2019
Amara Enyia stopped by Inspiration Kitchens to record an interview about the neighborhood.
Inspiration Kitchens: The Work that Gives Back
The TorchApril, 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 ParentNovember, 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-TVSeptember, 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 & WineSeptember, 2017
A nonprofit restaurant on the city's west side helps struggling Chicagoans find a path to self-reliance.
Client Appreciation, With a Side of Laughter and Giving on the Side
On CourseApril, 2017
Center Coast Realty puts on a comedy show in order to benefit Inspiration Corporation.
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
Heart and Soul-July 20, 2016
ABC7
July, 2016
Inspiration Kitchens located on Chicago's Westside, in Garfield Park, is a full service dining facility that serves contemporary American food.
Inspiration Corporation Gets People Back on Their Feet Through Cooking
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.
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.
Impact 100 Chicago Awards $210,000 in Transformational Grants to Chicago and Elgin Based Nonprofits
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.
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.
Inspiration Kitchens: Eat Well, Help Others, Learn Something
Thriving Malls
June, 2015
Molly Sprayregen reviews her experience at Inspiration Kitchens - Uptown for General Growth Property's retail industry trade blog.
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.
Windy City Live: Inspiration Corporation
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.
Jake's Takes: Inspiration Kitchens - Garfield Park
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!
On Location: Inspiration Kitchens
The Chew
March, 2015
ABC's national talkshow profiled Samara Hightower who trained and now works at Inspiration Kitchens - Garfield Park.
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.
Website, Miss A, reviews One Inspired Evening highlights
Miss A
March, 2014
One Inspired Evening fundraiser highlights.
Nonprofit helps homeless re-enter workforce
Chicago Tribune
November, 2013
Anna never thought a job could be the path toward personal fulfillment.
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.
Mouth full of South
Time Out Chicago
April, 2013
Classic Dixie dishes are popping up all over Chicago.
Jewish United Fund serves Christmas dinner to Chicago's hungry, homeless
Chicago Tribune
December, 2012
Dedicated volunteers come out to support Inspiration Cafe during the holidays.
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.
The Coolest Place To Volunteer
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".
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.
18 December 2011 Show at Lincoln Hall Benefits Inspiration Corporation
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.
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.
Inspiration Corp. Breaks New Ground in Garfield Park
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.
4554 N. Broadway, Suite 207, Chicago, IL 60640 | P (773) 878-0981 contact us > 
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.