News Release

February 26, 2010

Contact: Hillary Rowe, 404-347-1050, hrowe@nw.org
Lynn Long, L2 Media & Marketing, 504-669-0576, L2media@cox.net

NeighborWorks Training Institute:
A volunteer project and a celebration of rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region are two highlights of
the four day conference

New Orleans – NeighborWorks® America, the nation’s leading trainer of community development professionals, announces its first NeighborWorks Training Institute of 2010, which will be held in New Orleans, March 1 through March 5, 2010. An estimated 1,800 nonprofit community development professionals will attend the NeighborWorks Training Institute in New Orleans.

In addition to the training, several events will take place that highlight NeighborWorks’ ongoing commitment to New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast region.

On Sunday, February 28, NeighborWorks America staff and conference participants will volunteer to paint, hang sheet rock and do light demolition on homes targeted for first time homebuyers and the elderly. Target home for Sunday is 1442 N. Derbigny from 1:00 -5:00 p.m. The volunteer effort is being coordinated with The Preservation Resource Center, one of NeighborWorks America’s local partners, and their Rebuilding Together and Operation Comeback divisions.  Rebuilding Together New Orleans helps repair homes for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners and Operation Comeback focuses on buying, repairing and selling blighted property. The volunteer effort demonstrates NeighborWorks America’s continued commitment to Gulf Coast rebuilding partnerships. 

“We selected the Preservation Resource Center as our volunteer partner because we’ve been impressed with the work that they have done, as well as many other organizations we’ve partnered with in the area.  We can provide dollars and technical assistance and also help do the actual work,” said Don Phoenix, director, NeighborWorks America’s Southern District office, based in Atlanta. 

On Monday, March 1, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Orleans, a chartered member of the NeighborWorks network, will launch Rescue Scam, a new program for residents of the Greater New Orleans area that addresses a growing problem that’s occurring in New Orleans and communities across the country: loan modification scams. 

Homeowners facing foreclosure are losing their money – and their homes – to loan modification scam artists who make big promises and do little or nothing in return to help them avoid foreclosure.  For homeowners, knowledge is the best defense in guarding against loan modification scams and Neighborhood Housing Services is on the front line of this battle, which is gaining ground in New Orleans.

Join us for a briefing about Neighborhood Housing Services’ Rescue Scam program to learn the signs of a scam, learn where to report loan modification scams, and discover free resources available, which include counseling for homeowners facing foreclosure or struggling with debt.  The Rescue Scam briefing will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton New Orleans, 500 Canal Street, and will be followed by a homeowner ceremony at 2:30 p.m., at 417 Kenilworth Street.

Following the Rescue Scam events, on Monday evening many of the NeighborWorks America partners will gather to celebrate their accomplishments since the hurricanes of 2005, and plan for the future.

“Rebuilding Against All Odds: Stories of Perseverance, Success and Hope” will highlight the stories of people and organizations coming together and the determination and resiliency of committed communities.   Local New Orleanian Chuck Perkins will emcee and perform during the event.  The celebration will take place at the NOCCA Institute’s Lupin Theatre at 6:30 p.m.

Since 2006, NeighborWorks America has assisted almost 275,000 families, coordinated over 47,000 volunteers and 1.3 million volunteer hours, and facilitated nearly $589,000,000 for home rehabilitation and construction in the Gulf Coast area.                      

About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. Since 1991, we have assisted nearly 1.2 million low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in more than 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $15 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals. www.nw.org.