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SARET Client Testimonials
These are actual letters and quotes from a sampling of
some of the wonderful individuals SARET was fortunate
to be able to provide assistance for.
Reading through these, you will appreciate and understand
the worthwhile benefits of our organization.
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Janet K.(2007):
"I just want to take a minute and thank you and the Saret Foundation for your generosity
and compassion in our recent Medical/Financial crisis. If it was not for your intervention
and generous check for Eddie's back health insurance premiums we would not only be without
health and prescription coverage, but would be responsible for over $200,000.00 in
retroactive charges Blue Cross paid out for his surgery. You are a true Angel of Mercy.
If there is anything I can do to assist you and your work let me know. With all my health
issues I'm limited in what I can do , but the spirit is there. Thank you isn't enough to
say but it will have to do. Peace and Love- Janet K."
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Denise A.(Woodridge, 1993):
"I was a homeless mother of seven who was referred to SARET by the county nine years ago.
Battered by my husband , I left him but could not get child support because he was a roofer
and did not report his employment to the IRS. Because of our homelessness, DCFS was about to
take the children and disperse them among foster homes. SARET rented for us an apartment in
Westmont in which I resided for one year and then a house in Bolingbrook. During that period
of time, I was able to find part time work and return home when the children came back from school.
SARET provided me with a two year bridge time to get my life in order."
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Riki Dulman (Lisle, 2000):
"I am a 44 divorced mother of two with progressive multiple sclerosis. I am bound
to a wheel chair and my bed 24 hours a day. My ex-husband lost his job at Lucent and child
support did not arrive for a couple of months. SARET helped pay half of my rent so I would
not be evicted. They were God sent."
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John P. Wallis (Lombard)
Husband, Father of 8, American Manufacturer:
"Dear Chana,
Since the days of my family's distress we have come a long way. Thanks to you and Saret charitable
fund we were able to make ends meet for a long period prior to getting back on our feet. After getting
evicted from both a home and a shop in the same month we attempted for another year to revive our business
in an effort to save our investment to no avail. Finally I got tired of saying no to my family whenever
they wanted to do or have something. I applied to 2 of my customers for employment and both gave me an offer.
After careful consideration I chose the second offer and have remained gainfully employed and financially independent.
The years have passed since then and now we are making ends meet. We had to go through bankruptcy and still have one
final obstacle and we should be able to purchase a home once that challenge is overcome. We are very thankful for the
assistance we received from the Saret organization and we will look to the future when we may be able to contribute to
the fund so that others may benefit as our family did".
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A.G. (Westmont):
"I was a middle class mother of three. I was a stay at home mom, a girl-scout leader, involved in my children's
lives and our church. I got sick, had four major surgeries within a tow year span, and my husband left me after the
4th surgery. The court system did not protect me to assure a living income. IN 2002 I woke out of a 27 day coma to
find myself completely destitute. I have lived in severe pain since July of 1993. My Social Security attorney told
me about SARET. The SARET organization has given me value, hope and a reason to live and fight to get better and healthier.
I tried so hard to find help within my community. I knocked on every charity I could find, but could only receive minimal help
one time a year. I could barely walk or talk I was so ill. It boiled down to reconciling myself to the idea that I would have
to live in my 1992 car. I wondered how I will brush my teeth, wash and eat. How could I keep myself safe and warm and not get
arrested for parking in places you are not supposed to park. Knowing how little hope I had makes me want to work harder and
help SARET help other people like myself."
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L.D. Aurora ( DuPage County):
"I am a single mother of two young teenagers who resides in Aurora, Dupage County. My ex-husband is on disability so
our share of child support is $300 per month. I have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in its initial stages with
symptoms focused on the eyes. I get serious headaches and currently can't find a neurologist who will take medi-caid.
When my car broke down a couple of years ago, I called SARET and they put me on a waiting list. In September 2005 they
finally found a Volvo 1993 and that vehicle has saved me and the children. I was able to resume work and gain control
over the bills that were piling. My children could resume their sports activities, my old company took me back. Prior to
getting the car, knowing how trapped I was without transportation, SARET helped us from time to time with bills and during
the past Christmas, they gave us cash cards and many gifts".
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Roy and Cathy L. (Wheaton):
"We were homeless for two years and thanks to SARET we now live in a lovely apartment in Wheaton. Two years ago
we were evicted and became homeless with our son who was then two years of age. Our life spinned out of control when
I developed serious ulcer problems right about the time my company moved out of state. My wife suffered diabetes
complications for ten years and was not well either. Next our car broke down and that hampered our ability to work.
We could not afford a cell phone, a car, and stayed at PADS for two years. This winter was very hard for us. Cathy's
neuropathy was impacting her ability to walk distances when we could not afford the bus, being diabetic, she needed
food on regular schedule but we could not control our food intake. We often had no food stamps remaining. Our son was
getting ill and we needed to request motel stays from different churches and organizations. We learned about SARET and
they put us up in a motel for two weeks during Christmas and New Year. As they saw the logistical nightmares we were
facing with a little boy, no car, no phone, they sent an appeal out to their membership to help adopt us. They were able
to raise the rent and security deposit and we moved in on March 2nd, 2006. SARET located furniture for us, clothes,
household goods, and our apartment is now very cozy and comfortable. SARET also connected us with another client who
took us to the Lombard Resource Center and taught us how to use the internet, helped me write resumes and teach me how
to look for work on the internet. A week after we moved in, we saw one of the PADS families which suffered severe
distress because the husband is very ill with diabetes. We invited them to stay with us while his wife can seek work
and he can rest. They have no family in Illinois. It was a great feeling to give back to others as SARET gave to us. "
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S. M. ( age 15) G len Ellyn:
"The reason I am writing this testimony is because of the struggles me and my family are going through. My Mother
is a single parent with three children and we live in DuPage county. Every day it's a struggle for us. My mother
is stressed out all the time. We live in a one bedroom apartment and sometimes my mother sleeps on the floor so we
can get the bed. We now have three beds. We are trying to move but the rent is too high. I am afraid if we move we
will be back on the street because the rent is a little too high. I don't want to live in a hotel again and it is
hard to get back on your feet without help. Sometimes, it is hard to get help. I don't want to be homeless again.
I told my mother to stay here in this apartment because we will be back on the street if we move to a two bedroom
which is a $100 more. My mother's income is $1007. With the rent being $800 we will only have $200 left for utilities,
clothes, paper goods, health care products.
Every time she tries to buy us the things we need it takes away from the rent or a bill. Sometimes we need a cab
to get to an appointment and that also takes away from a bill. We can't go places and do things together because we
can't afford it. That is why I think we should stay here until our Section 8 comes through.
If it wasn't for SARET Charitable Fund last year, 2005, we would not have had a Thanks Giving. She brought us
A turkey, a $50 food certificate, laundry detergent, hygienne products, that we desperately needed. We could
not afford a winter caat. Mrs. Bernstein got us coats and clothing. My mother could not afford to buy us Christmas
gifts, not even a Christmas tree. Mrs. Bernstein was so nice to us and gave my mother a $100 certificate to buy
Christmas gifts at Walmart. She brought us a kitchen table and chair, and a bed that we needed so bad. She had
really been there for us. DuPage county won't help unless you have a loss of income. Getting to food pantries
is difficult when you have no transportation. If you get social security, Milton township will help once a year.
When I grow up I plan to get a well paying job and I am making every effort to get A's at school and to go to college
and change this situation.
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