Sheila Jones, 44, struggled with heroin and alcohol addiction for more than two decades, bouncing around from place to place until she could take it no more.

She decided to change her life, and through a recovery program, Jones was introduced to the Lincoln Park-based Chicago House, a nonprofit agency providing housing and supportive services to HIV-affected and HIV-at risk families, as well as people who may also be impacted by poverty, homelessness, substance abuse and mental illness.

“I was out of touch with everything,” said Jones, who has been drug-free for four years and now lives on Marine Drive.

For the last year, Jones has worked part-time at Sweet Miss Giving’s, a bakery in the Chicago French Market at 131 N. Clinton St. In addition to providing exceptionally delicious, all natural treats, the bakery doubles as Chicago House’s comprehensive transitional jobs training program, and it gives interns experience with baking customer service, delivery and packing.

Professional pastry chef Rachel Kelley teaches the art of baking as well as basic job skills to interested interns such as Jones.

“It’s a big relief, people not knowing me from Adam willing to help me,” said Jones. “They gave me the oomph to keep pushing myself.”

Sweet Miss Giving’s opened in 2008 and 100 percent of profits go directly to Chicago House, said the Rev. Stan Sloan, the bakery’s founder and CEO of Chicago House.

Sloan said lack of education and jobs are two of the biggest issues facing the formerly homeless. When founding the bakery, he was looking for a creative way to do a jobs program as well as fund Chicago House’s programs and services. He brainstormed “tons of ideas” with Chicago’s top business leaders.

“One of the biggest needs we saw was how to get the homeless employment,” said Rev. Sloan, a Wicker Park resident. “The answer to that was job training and meaningful work experience. I also found my sweet tooth playing a major part in this new venture especially since Chicago is a culinary hub.

“With a little support and a second chance, individuals are able to get back on track and do great things,” said Sloan. “The Sweet Miss Giving’s jobs program transforms lives and gives people hope.”

The bakery, which bakes its sweets

at a Goose Island location, recently entered into the food truck business, and its oversized white van is hitting the streets with the mission of delivering goodies and smiles thanks to original artwork by Chicago House’s youngest

clients. (Follow them on Twitter at

@SMGFoodTruck to find the truck’s whereabouts or suggest a location).

Sweet Miss Giving’s is like the triple crown of businesses: it helps people, provides jobs and satisfies any sweet tooth. All I can say is … how sweet it is!

L.A. law… Catch retired domestic violence Judge Gloria Coco, a Skyliner, co-starring as Judge Sylvia Brown on “Southland,” Feb. 22 on TNT.

Congrats to… Dr. Brooke Jackson, founder of the Skin Wellness Center of Chicago, being honored today for being selected as one of the city’s most influential African American doctors by Black Health Magazine staff and a group of peers. Dr. Jackson is also featured in the mag’s February issue.

Golden ladies… Gold Coaster Patricia Blunt Koldyke, honorary life director of the Chicago Council of Global Affairs; Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke; and Terrie McDermott, executive director of the Department of Women’s Justice Services, will all be feted for their exceptional achievements at Concern Worldwide’s annual Women of Concern Brigid Awards luncheon Feb. 25 at the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, 1 W. Wacker Drive. Funds raised support Concern Worldwide’s maternal and child health programs in Haiti, Rwanda and Malawi. www.concernusa.org.

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By tim from edgewater
Posted: 02/18/2011 11:32 AM

Congrats, Shelia Im so happy to hear a different part of your story and the changes you have made! I am glad to call you my friend!

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By tim from edgewater
Posted: 02/18/2011 11:30 AM

Congrats, Shelia I'm so happy to hear a different part of your story and the changes you've made! I'm glad to call you my friend!