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Glen Ellyn, IL —
As Joyce Harvey looks for work, she anticipates living from her car again this month.
Harvey, 50, said she’s become accustomed to this frugal lifestyle, having been homeless on and off since 2006, when her mother died. There are many things homeless people must consider that others take for granted, she said.
“What are your needs? How long can I go between showers and keep myself presentable to the public? Where do I go to brush my teeth?” she said. “Or making sure that when you’re parked somewhere at night, perhaps sleeping, you are in close proximity to a place that’s doable for using a bathroom in the morning ... that won’t be in the public eye and won’t be offensive to anyone.”
One charity that has played a critical role in helping Harvey meet her basic needs has been Glen Ellyn-based Saret.
“I found them to be very helpful, very open ... more than other places,” Harvey said.
For 25 years, Saret has provided emergency economic relief for families and individuals in the western suburbs. However, because of the economy, the celebration of the group’s quarter-century anniversary has been overshadowed by its need to move its headquarters and retail store, which partially funds its work.
The two sides of the organization — Saret Charitable Fund’s headquarters and the Saret Treasures of Hope store — had both been based at 866 Roosevelt Road. Last month, the retail store moved to its new location at 449 Main St. in downtown Glen Ellyn, where handmade jewelry, clothing, natural body care and cleaning products, herbs, essential oils and other gifts will continue to be sold with proceeds benefiting the charity. The group’s headquarters now will be housed at 542 Duane St.
“The (Roosevelt Road) location was ideal for the charity because we had both the store and we had a beautiful beading area and on top of that we had ... two desks and an office just for the charity,” Saret founder and president Chana Bernstein said. “This was a perfect set-up. We would have people come, we had a room for food, we had a room for furnishings and bags and clothes and things like that.”
However, Bernstein said there was no foot traffic to draw customers to the store.
“We had more clients coming there than customers, and we couldn’t support that anymore,” she said. “We couldn’t get grants last year with the economy being as it is.”
As Joyce Harvey looks for work, she anticipates living from her car again this month.
Harvey, 50, said she’s become accustomed to this frugal lifestyle, having been homeless on and off since 2006, when her mother died. There are many things homeless people must consider that others take for granted, she said.
“What are your needs? How long can I go between showers and keep myself presentable to the public? Where do I go to brush my teeth?” she said. “Or making sure that when you’re parked somewhere at night, perhaps sleeping, you are in close proximity to a place that’s doable for using a bathroom in the morning ... that won’t be in the public eye and won’t be offensive to anyone.”
One charity that has played a critical role in helping Harvey meet her basic needs has been Glen Ellyn-based Saret.
“I found them to be very helpful, very open ... more than other places,” Harvey said.
For 25 years, Saret has provided emergency economic relief for families and individuals in the western suburbs. However, because of the economy, the celebration of the group’s quarter-century anniversary has been overshadowed by its need to move its headquarters and retail store, which partially funds its work.
The two sides of the organization — Saret Charitable Fund’s headquarters and the Saret Treasures of Hope store — had both been based at 866 Roosevelt Road. Last month, the retail store moved to its new location at 449 Main St. in downtown Glen Ellyn, where handmade jewelry, clothing, natural body care and cleaning products, herbs, essential oils and other gifts will continue to be sold with proceeds benefiting the charity. The group’s headquarters now will be housed at 542 Duane St.
“The (Roosevelt Road) location was ideal for the charity because we had both the store and we had a beautiful beading area and on top of that we had ... two desks and an office just for the charity,” Saret founder and president Chana Bernstein said. “This was a perfect set-up. We would have people come, we had a room for food, we had a room for furnishings and bags and clothes and things like that.”
However, Bernstein said there was no foot traffic to draw customers to the store.
“We had more clients coming there than customers, and we couldn’t support that anymore,” she said. “We couldn’t get grants last year with the economy being as it is.”
Bernstein said the store’s new location will offer increased visibility and foot traffic, and in doing so, raise awareness for the organization.
“At least we have the opportunity to present our story in this location,” Bernstein said.
Saret was founded in August 1985 in memory of 2-year-old Saret Yan, a Cambodian refugee living in Wheaton who died from complications related to aplastic anemia. Members of the Glen Ellyn and Wheaton community organized to help the Yan family, who faced economic struggles because of the child’s illness. Based on that kind of grass-roots assistance, Saret since has helped thousands of families facing similar immediate economic crisis.
“We cater to people who have just been laid off, just been facing a crisis, (and aren’t going to have) any income next month,” Bernstein said. “All the government grants and many of the churches are now specifying that if you want help from us, you need to show ability to prove to us that next month, you’ll already have a job waiting for you. We’re going the other way, we’re saying that we understand you’re in a crisis and we’re going to try to help you through this crisis now.”
According to Saret’s 2009 annual review, the organization focused most of its efforts around housing and transportation aid. Nearly $30,000 in housing aid was distributed among 122 families, while 121 families were provided a total of more than $10,400 in transportation assistance, which covers gas cards, car repairs, and help paying for license plate renewal and car insurance.
Covering utilities such as electric, heat and water, a third category of aid dispersed more than $5,100 among 46 families, often to stop a utility shut-off. Meanwhile, more than $2,200 went to 28 clients for telephone assistance, mainly in cases of homelessness or single and disabled women.
The organization said the aid is ideal for people such as Harvey who are dealing with homelessness in an uncertain economic climate.
“I have a great appreciation for what I never would have understood had I not lived it,” Harvey said.
Need help or want to help?
For information, visit Saret online at saretcharitablefund.org, call (630) 790-4602 or visit its new location at 449 Main St. in Glen Ellyn from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
