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.

Inspiration Corporation was founded 30 years ago by Lisa Nigro, a police officer who was searching for a personal response to the people she encountered on her beat. Lisa borrowed her nephew's red wagon, filled it with coffee and sandwiches, and pulled it around the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago offering a little dignity and respect to the people she encountered.

Over time, the wagon grew into a van, bus, and eventually a full-service cafe, where those experiencing homelessness could sit down, order off a menu, and be served. In the years that followed, Inspiration Cafe grew to become Inspiration Corporation and expanded its services beyond simply meals to include case management, supportive services, housing, and employment training.

Today we offer a broad array of programs designed to help our participants exit homelessness and poverty while increasing self-sufficiency. Last year we helped over 350 individuals in our Housing program, served 22,000 meals through our Meals program, and placed 60 graduates of our Inspiration Kitchens' Foodservice Training program in jobs. We believe in providing opportunities for every individual to make positive changes in their lives, regardless of their past, and we meet each individual where theyre at in life.