Inspiration Corporation

Housing Services program provides formerly homeless individuals and families with an apartment and the wraparound services and support they need to make their new place a home.Case managers connect with individuals and families experiencing homelessness, help them identify a new home, and work with their new landlord to make sure that they transition smoothly into their unit. We strive to help our participants increase their self-sufficiency with the ultimate goal of helping them exit poverty for good.We work with more than 100 households and landlords, administering rental subsidies paid through federal and state contracts. Each contract requires us to match a percentage of the total amount with funds raised from private donors.

Inspiration Corporation's first program, Inspiration Cafe, serves hot, nutritious meals to our participants in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. Our cafe is open to our participants five days a week and operates like any other full-service restaurant in the city. More than just a place to eat, Inspiration Cafe is a refuge from the streets where participants can connect with fellow diners, volunteers, and staff, and form a supportive community. During times of COVID-19 dining restrictions, Inspiration Cafe transitioned to distributing daily to-go meals which included one hot meal and one cold meal each day.Homeless Outreach Services provides basic street outreach to those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of experiencing homelessness in and around the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Needs assessments are performed and resources provided related to mental health, benefits eligibility, housing, employment, medical care, and substance use with the ultimate goal of assisting clients in obtaining safe, suitable housing.

Job training is located in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood. Inspiration Kitchens, our restaurant and Foodservice Training program site has offered low-income individuals the opportunity to learn to cook professionally at a restaurant open to the paying public, helping them gain the skills and experience they need in the food service industry.Our 12-week 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.The Lori Jericho Memorial Education Fund links individuals to vocational training or education programs. We provide limited scholarships and financial support for textbooks, entrance exams and other related expenses.