YSEALI PFP Day 24: Inspiration

13 May 2019

Back to work at Metropolitan Family Services today.

Brainstormed with Ric on an agenda item for Executive Team meeting which would be held later in the afternoon. Thankful for the opportunity to contribute some ideas to an organisation that has served Chicago since 1857.

In preparation of a presentation that Ric is presenting the next day, I assisted in searching for the data of homicides and shootings in 2019 to date. Chanced upon a set of data by Chicago Tribune. 144 homicides as at end April 2019. The population of Chicago metropolitan area is about 9.5 million. 

My inspiring host - Ric Estrada, President & CEO, Metropolitan Family Services

Lunch was at University Club of Chicago. We took some time to discuss about the follow-on project when I return to Singapore. One idea that came out was the On-The-Table platform, which I would be experiencing the next day.

Ric led me to a mini tour of the clubhouse.

Library

Scenic view of the lakefront from the balcony.

 

 

 

Finally, a photo with my host Ric, who leads a non-governmental organisation that employs over 1,000 staff who help Mpower families to heal and thrive.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from him, witnessing how he speaks with conviction on the work of Metropolitan Family Services to legislators, to potential funders and to partners. His clarity of thought and domain knowledge are impressive. I guess he had also become a mentor over the course of the fellowship, always probing my thoughts after meetings and patiently listening and providing inputs along the way.

After lunch, I joined in the Executive Team meeting and was happy to meet the team. In my introduction, I shared about my experience visiting some of the centres and how each and every staff that I interacted with exuded such passion and dedication to Metropolitan Family Services' cause.

Left for a meeting at Inspiration Corporation to learn about its business model, in particular the Inspiration Kitchen which provides culinary training to ex-convicts and wrap-around services to support them. Chanced upon a publicity poster of Inspiration Kitchen when I was at the Garfield Conservatory, which led me to a request for a meeting.

Wilson Station

"Inspiration Corporation was founded in 1989 by Lisa Nigro, a police officer who was searching for a personal response to the people she encountered on her beat. Lisa borrowed her nephew’s red wagon, filled it with coffee and sandwiches, and pulled it around the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago offering a little dignity and respect to the people she encountered. Over time, the wagon grew into a van, bus, and eventually a full-service cafe, where men and women experiencing homelessness could sit down, order off a menu and be served. In the years that followed, Inspiration Cafe expanded its services beyond simply meals, to include case management, supportive services, housing, and employment training." quoted from Inspiration Corporation website

The original radio flyer red wagon

Inspiration Corporation runs the Inspiration Cafe which provides free food for those in poverty and the homeless; the Inspiration Kitchen which equips job seekers with culinary skills and self-reliance to get them emplaced in culinary jobs; and assists the homeless to secure housing. 

Inspiration Kitchens are set up in food deserts, which meant communities with lack of good fresh quality food. Job seekers could apply for the 12-week training programme. They would require at least 6th grade English as they need to be able to read recipes. It seeks to equip job seekers with a sustainable way of supporting themselves, instead of just doing waitering.

Case managers support job seekers on job placement. To support them in transitioning to their jobs, their salaries will be funded by Inspiration Kitchens for 30 to 60 days. 

The Inspiration Cafe provides a community and peaceful environment for those in poverty and homeless to consume their meals. It accords dignity and gives hope to them.

The quote "being homeless is the toughest job" got me reflecting quite a bit, especially when a common perception of the homeless is that they do not put in effort to get themselves out of the situation. But to survive on the streets is no easy feat either.

Learnt about the Point-in-Time Count (also known as PIT), an annual count by activists of homeless persons on a single night in January.

With Hallie Witmer, Development Manager, Inspiration Corporation

In the evening, we had a dinner meeting with ACYPL alumnus Jay Vincent, Founder and Chief Engagement Officer, Outreach Experts, and learnt about tips on public participation. Jay is also Stakeholder Engagement Strategist & Outreach Consultant, International Association for Public Participation.

Jay shared the importance of social licence, which is the acceptance and approval of community stakeholders and their trust. This was especially in NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) cases, where residents of the community are up in arms over a new construction project in the neighbourhood.

Learnt about how we should focus dialogues by setting boundaries and providing alternative platforms for those who wish to debate on issues that are beyond the scope of discussion. Learnt about how unique stories were more effective advocacy materials than repeatedly sending the same letters.

Jay also shared a great resource portal - Congressional Management Foundation - on best ways to communicate to electorate.

Appetiser dish at Cafe Orchid, a Turkish restaurant

Iskender Chicken

Amazing dessert

With Jay Vincent 

Our dinner almost ended at 11pm, when the shop had to close for the day. Another very fruitful discussion. The private "consultation" on our various questions was priceless.