Pictured Cafe Too, Inspiration Corporation's culinary job-training program that includes a new restaurant at 4715 N. Sheridan. Photos with staff (far left) and (right photo) Ald. Helen Shiller and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Photos by Andrew Davis
Café Too, Inspiration Corporation's culinary job-training program that includes a new restaurant at 4715 N. Sheridan, celebrated its grand opening Dec. 19 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was attended by Ald. Helen Shiller and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Inspiration Corporation was established in 1989 to help people affected by homelessness and poverty to improve their lives through social services, employment training and housing. Café Too is a 13-week restaurant skills training program designed to provide students with the necessary tools to procure entry-level jobs in the food service industry. The training focuses on basic culinary skills and concepts; following and taking direction; teamwork; sanitation and safety; and restaurant service.
The café actually opened Sept. 29 and has enjoyed strong support so far, according to Miriam Lichstein, president of Inspiration Corporation's board. Christopher Persons, Inspiration Corporation's executive director, praised Madigan for helping to start the corporation's initiatives 16 years ago while lauding Shiller as 'an example of good governance.'
Other programs established by Inspiration Corporation include Uptown's Inspiration Café and Woodlawn's Dream Big, an after-school initiative.