Most of the clinical group went to the Inspiration Cafe in Uptown. One of the caseworkers gave us the history of the place, and we took a tour. It seems like a well-run, effective social service agency. It had a good vibe.

It was started by a Chicago police officer who wanted to provide a sense of community by providing food and coffee to the homeless population of Uptown. She did this out of a red Radio Flyer wagon. Now the organization provides restaurant style breakfast and dinner at the cafe, along with providing housing services, job training, and all kinds of support for the homeless.

After the tour, we did blood pressure screenings for guests and employees. Then some of us went to Cafe Too, the restaurant run by Inspiration, which employs formerly homeless graduates of the culinary training program. I had a delicious smoked salmon wrap and sweet potato fries, and felt good eating it knowing that any profit goes toward Inspiration's programs.