About the Nonprofit
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Inspiration Corporation began in 1989 with a little red wagon filled with coffee and sandwiches. Our founder Lisa Nigro walked around the uptown neighborhood using food to form meaningful connections with people experiencing homelessness and poverty. The wagon eventually grew into a full-service cafe for people experiencing homelessness. Eventually, we expanded beyond meals to offer other programs, including job training, housing, and supportive services, becoming Inspiration Corporation. Today, Inspiration Corporation provides resources and support to thousands of resilient Chicagoans who face systematic disparities rooted in social, racial and economic inequities, that often result in homelessness, hunger, and social isolation. In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide deep engagement and support services connecting people to housing and economic security, while simultaneously meeting the nutritional needs of thousands of Chicagoans.