Lisa Nigro

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be homeless? No food, no clothes, no shelter and no money. Not knowing where your next meal is going to come from and where you will sleep is a scary thought, even for people who have lived this way for years. Retired Chicago police officer Lisa Nigro was roaming the streets of Chicago when she had a thought. Seeing all the homeless members of the Chicago community got her to thinking about how she could serve them and make their lives easier without any unnecessary burdens. She then had got an idea that would change her and her community's lives forever.

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Taking her nephew's small red wagon, she filled it up with sandwiches and coffee, pulling it around the upper part of Chicago. Along with every meal Lisa handed out, was a promise of hope to the men and women of her community desperately seeking this. Lisa gained many supporters, thinking that her simple idea of generosity and grace should continue to grow and prosper. Soon after, the little red wagon containing small packed lunches was converted into a van, which would be used as a kitchen on wheels. Meals would be prepared and served out this van to many more community members, until something even more remarkable happened.

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It was dream come true for Lisa when she acquired her van, but an even more amazing blessing from God when the Inspiration Cafe, the name of the traveling kitchen on wheels, took storefront. She did not want to create the atmosphere that a soup kitchen provided and felt the need to provide a loving and dignified environment for all who attended. The customers would be able to sit down and scan the menu, ordering from a variety of choices, to have the same experience as all other restaurant goers. The volunteers who the run the cafe, have the big responsibility of cooking, planning, serving, and cleaning up the meals. These volunteers provide for 2,500 people or more annually!

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Not only does the Inspiration Cafe provide meals, but eventually went on to provide housing, training programs, and job placement. This gives the visitors a chance to get the help they need to get back on their feet. There are now three locations, one started by an Inspiration Cafe intern who went on to open the Living Room Cafe. Also, Cafe Too, the third location, is a training center for culinary students to get the proper training they need for the workforce. Within these three cafes, there are approximately 75 employees and 800 volunteers.

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What started as six-month lease costing only a $1 from a touched building owner, resulted in a highly successful organization that has touched many lives. Lisa Nigro, with just a simple kind thought in her head turned action, is now responsible for the success of this cafe and the people she has motivated to take a stand and lend a hand. Lisa is not getting income from this entirely volunteer run business, which displays her dedication to serving others. It is obvious that she has touched the lives of many and continues to amaze her community, and herself. Lisa Nigro exemplifies the true meaning of an advocate and what everyone in this world should strive to be.