Fundraiser a cornerstone for one local shelter

By Ashley Mouldon

For one day only, the Chelsea House, at 920 W. Wilson Ave., was turned into a crafter’s paradise. Community and church members filled the small room on the first floor with hand made goods and crafts.

This was the second year Indie in the Windy City held its semi-annual fair. Hosted by Jesus People USA, the craft fair benefited Cornerstone Community Outreach, a local shelter, located just down the street from Chelsea House in this Uptown neighborhood.

In the lobby of the building, coffee and fresh baked goods were for sale for guests of the fair. Church members helped serve the customers while directing other people to the craft event down the hall.


The vendors lined up along the wall sat behind small banquet tables that housed their goods. Everything from jewelry to purses to journals and candles were on display with colorful table cloths , some of them topped with handmade merchandise. Throughout the room, guests strolled from table to table, admiring the prized possessions.

Seated at her own table, selling handmade earrings, broaches and necklaces, Marsha
Spaniel smiled proudly when showing off her goods to a potential buyer. Spaniel has been a member of the church, Jesus People USA, for 35 years. She lives at the community housing complex with other members of the organization and has helped organized the craft fair since its inception two years ago.

“I have been a member for 35 years. I love the feeling of
community,” said Spaniel.

“Some are community members, others members of the church,” she added, pointing to some of the other vendors. “They just, like selling their goods, and this fair is benefiting something worthwhile.”

More visitors flocked into the room, scoping out the various goods. Raye Clemente, greeted a few of them by name.

Clemente, whose hair was dripping wet, was dressed in a bright yellow T-shirt.

“Well, I moved in here with Jesus People and we all got jobs right away,” said Clemente. “I do intakes and maintenance at the shelter now.”

“They sent me over to the shelter and I noticed things that needed to be done and did it,” said Clemente. “I do a bit of everything.”

Clemente has been with Jesus People USA for two and a half years. She enjoys being a part of what she calls a close-knit family community.

Cornerstone Community Outreach is primarily used by families in the neighborhood. But Clemente stressed that the shelter is open to anyone who needs a bed and food.

The biggest reward for Clemente working at the shelter is being able to say that she has helped keep it funded over the past two years. But working at the shelter has its challenges.

“It’s a challenge to work with people who have a mental or physical challenge,” said Clemente.

At the recent fundraiser, Laura Jensen, a young woman with short blonde hair, sold purses and flower broaches made out of zippers. One of the most positive things for Jensen living with the other church members, she said, is being able to get more involved with the community and to try and better serve the shelter and the neighborhood.

“We’re pretty involved, and I like being a part of the community and being accessible,” said Jensen.