Curt’s Café is squeezed in between businesses on a crowded central street in Evanston.

Inside you’re not sure if you’re in your own living room or a Salvation Army Store.

Curt’s owner, Sue Treischmann has been a chef for 25 years. She was part of the original Food for Thought catering team, an award winning company.

But she left that all behind to answer a higher calling.

So two years ago on a cold February day, Treischmann started Curt’s, a place where she’s saving lives.

Curt’s kids who might otherwise be in jail or on the street. She gives them lessons in food service and lessons on life, much like a mother would oftentimes at the kitchen sink.

The kids in the program at Curt’s work eight hour shifts and get paid. When they “graduate”, Treischmann  sticks with them.

“We don’t let them go until they have a job,” she says. “And then we continue to job coach them.”

Curt’s doesn’t make money. The program is funded  from grants and donations.

Sue Treischmann . She’s one of Chicago’s very own.

For more information: http://www.womenofworth.com/honorees/honoreesdetail.aspx?id=Susan_Trieschmann&yr=2013