The CHM (Christel House/Manual) Boutique began as a project of a school entrepreneurship class. It’s now a clothing store at Christel House Indianapolis providing real-world business experience for students – and proving a valuable service for classmates in need. This year, finding the right outfit for the Spring Prom just got easier thanks to a local group of supporters.
Kellie Seabrooks is the Vice President of Strategic Innovation and Customer Engagement with RJE Business Interiors. She also serves on the Board of Directors for IndyCREW. The group has approximately 210 members in the Indianapolis area dedicated to supporting women in commercial real estate. IndyCREW liked the concept of supporting Christel House Indianapolis with a “Pop Up Prom” clothes drive. “I knew that the women and men affiliated with our IndyCREW chapter would jump all over this opportunity,” says Seabrooks. “We not only had professional women in business donating their personal items, but many of their sons and daughters had prom and college formal dresses and clothes to contribute as well.” A truck full of dresses, in various sizes, colors, and styles were donated to the CHM Boutique. Shoes and accessories were also donated. “As an organization, we always look for opportunities to give back to the community, but this really meant something special, as professional women, to support our next generation of leaders.” Paige Pittman, Christel House Watanabe High School Principal, notes this is an area of need for the students every year and the IndyCREW team's donation has made a difficult situation a little easier. “This act of kindness will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the lives of the Christel House students,” she says. “It’s a testament to the power of community support and kindness.”