Susan Trieschmann, who founded Curt’s Café a food service program for youth at risk in Evanston and Highland Park will speak about Curt's Cafe, a non-profit open cafe concept workforce training program for at-risk young men and women. Curt's Cafe has pivoted during the pandemic and served their students as their trauma was increasing, alongside of all of ours. Suan will share what they have learned in the past year along with what changes they are making to not only serve students in the best way possible, but to serve all underserved communities.  www.curtscafe.org

 

Susan, her sister Nan, and her husband Curt each contributed $100 to begin her passion to help get kids off the streets. Curt Sharp was a Rotarian and died quite young from lung cancer. Susan left her thriving Food For Thought catering business that her sister is still running and is the third largest caterer in the Chicagoland area.

 

Once the young boys and girls have a record or come to the attention of the police, they were forced to live on the street. They could not live with their family in federally subsidized housing if they had a record. The Evanston Police helped identify those in the greatest need. Curt's Cafe helps teach them food service, enroll them in schools, and eventually obtain their GED's. Curt's also provides food whenever needed and helps them find jobs. When the kids receive a first check from that job, they bring their Moms or Aunties to Curt's for a lunch which they proudly pay for!