Nancy Schneider never needed to know how to navigate the system.

Working as a successful computer programmer and analyst, the strong-minded woman led a life full of independence and self-sufficiency.

She owned a home and car, and was able to rely on her salary of $50,000 a year to pay for most of her necessary expenses while still being able to tuck away a good cushion of savings for retirement.

But in 2000, when technology seemed to advance beyond her skill set, it started a tidal wave of problems that gradually spiraled out of control.

“It was like one bad decision after the other,” Schneider said.

Unable to find any new work and a mountain of home repairs beginning to eat up her cash, she sold her house and moved into a third-story apartment.

However, that only added onto her problems, with the wear and tear of continued stair climbing leading to a serious hip problem and heavy set of medical bills.

Her 16-year-old truck started to break down, leaving the last of her savings to be invested in a used, but unreliable, vehicle that eventually became her only source of permanent shelter before it, too, had to be sold.

So at 51-years-old, she found herself having to learn how to navigate an unfamiliar world of homeless shelters, food pantries and poverty.

“I was never in a position where I needed any level of service,” she said.

Schneider’s story is one of dozens heard by Chana Bernstein, president of Saret Charitable Fund and owner of Saret Treasures of Hope store in downtown Glen Ellyn.

Named after a young Cambodian boy who died during his family’s own economic struggle, the 25-year-old organization provides a variety of services to DuPage County residents.

Whether it is rent assistance, car donations or food vouchers, families from all over the suburbs have reached out to Bernstein’s group in times of crisis.

And Schneider was no different – with the bitter January cold and deteriorating hip proving to be different obstacles to overcome. It was around that time this year she was introduced to Bernstein, who helped her find hope in the services of Saret.

“We just kind of brainstorm with the money we have (about) how we can help these people,” Bernstein said.

Currently the charity side of Saret is able to provide services to roughly six families that stem from all over the area. The money mainly comes from six monthly sponsors and a handful of occasional donors.

Profits from the store also are divided up between payroll and the needs of about 20 other clients like Schneider, who recently received a used car.

She also was able to stay in a hotel room through most of the cold, winter months and is looking to have her hip replaced and eventually find a permanent home.

But just how much more the charity and store can support is proving difficult in today’s poor economy.

“This year was very, very limited,” Bernstein said.

With overall donations continuing to decline over the past two years, she had hoped sales at the store would pick up once they switched locations from her spot on Baker Hill to a storefront on Main Street. 

Schneider even went to work, stringing necklaces and crafting dozens of pieces of jewelry to be sold at the store.

“She is helping me, and now I am helping her,” she said.

Since the March move sales gradually climbed, but again fell in August.

Now, she is again turning her pleas to the public in hopes of locating a sponsor to help support Schneider’s needs.

“She is looking at a wall; a hard rock,” Bernstein said, speaking of the limitations of Schneider’s condition.