Charity that helps others facing its own challenges

Johnna Horner contracted a staph infection a few years ago while having surgery for her leg, leaving her unable to walk without help.

Then, more recently, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Although she can't work because of her illnesses, the Roselle woman doesn't qualify for disability payments and was having trouble paying her rent.

That's where SARET Charitable Funds, which focuses on helping the jobless pay their housing bills, stepped in to help.

Now, though, SARET itself is facing financial challenges that could hinder its ability to help others.

The charity operates a store, SARET Treasures of Hope, at 878 Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn, which sells a variety of items, including artwork by some of its clients.

Proceeds from the shop have paid the bulk of the group's administrative costs for the past 18 months, which total about 20 percent of the money it raises each year.

But with sales at the store dropping dramatically since last fall, SARET officials say they're facing rent problems of their own and may have to close the shop if they can't find additional funding.

Without income from the store, they say, SARET'S administrative expenses will have to come directly from the $75,000 the group has designated each year to help 500 jobless people.

Chana Bernstein, SARET president, said she's launched a fundraising campaign with an eye toward generating $20,000 in donations by November when the store's lease runs out. After that, she hopes to renegotiate the terms of that agreement.

If that doesn't happen, Bernstein says the group may move into a church on Main Street in Glen Ellyn, but officials fear the store will suffer from the lack of Roosevelt Road traffic.

"In November, when the market crashed, we just saw a massive decline in business," Bernstein said. "It just created a situation where we couldn't pay our rent."

Bernstein has been searching for grants, but SARET doesn't qualify for many of them. She's also contemplating taking out an emergency loan.

Besides bringing in money, the store also provides an outlet for recipients who otherwise can't work. Besides giving them experience in running a business, it provides some of them a place to sell their art.

Horner, for example, learned to make jewelry that's sold at the store, with the idea of giving something back to the organization that helped her in her time of need.

"Some of my pieces have sold," Horner said. "It makes me feel good."

The store is filled with handmade jewelry that rivals that found in some department stores.

"Our dream was to create an artistic haven that would also finance the charity," Bernstein said.

The shop recently has been stocked with prom dresses selling for $10 to $40, all donated by residents who want to see their outfits reused.

It also sells scrunchies made by an Iraqi refugee and paintings by a Columbian woman.

"When I make the jewelry, I feel like I'm doing good for people," Horner said. "I know the profits are helping people."

Although many of the artists featured in the store received money from SARET at some point, others just want to help.

Grace Hsu, who helps her husband run a graphic arts business in Naperville, sells her husband's poetry on mugs at the store.

She met Bernstein at a craft fair, which is how SARET used to generate funds for the charity. The store now touts poems about pets, mothers, fathers, coffee and sports on items like frames and coffee mugs.

"Her store is doing good things," Hsu said.

For more information on the store or to donate, visit saretcharitablefund.org.