Learn About Handling Credit Card Debt
Charge It Right, Check It Out Classes Offered by DuPage Homeownership Center, Harris Bank, FDIC

People’s Resource Center 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL November 4, 2009 3-6:30p.m.

WHAT: Free event offering two classes, Charge It Right and Check It Out. Learn about managing credit cards and consumer debt, and checking account management. Refreshments and door prizes courtesy of Harris Bank.

WHO: DuPage Homeownership Center, Harris Bank, The People’s Resource Center, the FDIC. For more information, call DuPage Homeownership Center 630/260-2500.

WHEN: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 3:00 p.m.to 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: The People’s Resource Center, 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

HOW: Workshops offered: Charge It Right and Check It Out will provide training about handling checking and charge accounts.

On Friday, October 23, 2009 agencies will be coming together at the DuPage PADS Support Center to connect with individuals from DuPage County to discuss their programs and services. The event will be from 9am to 12pm at 703 West Liberty in Wheaton. The purpose of this event is to gather several agencies together in one location so individuals in need of services can come speak to several service providers at one time. The event is open to ALL community members in need of social service resources.

For additional information, please read the Open Door Flyer.

DuPage PADS is offering free GED prep classes at their Support Center located at 703 W Liberty, Wheaton, IL, 60187. Classes start August 24, 2009 and tuition is free.

Please read their flyer for more information. The class is open to all, but all must register. This can be done by calling Jane at 630.682.3846 X 247 or Sue at 630.682.3846 X 262. You can also stop in at the Support Center and sign up.

“Out of Poverty” is a program of personal change. “Out of Poverty” affirms that change is possible. By following a step-by-step process within a group context, participants take responsibility for their life and choices, commit to learn and practice new behavior, and finally share experiences and thus find a road to a more prosperous life. In letting go of unproductive thoughts, feelings and behaviors and replacing them with new ones participants move towards a better quality of life.

“Out of Poverty” classes will be held on 7 consecutive Mondays, from 9:30am – 12:30pm, starting September 14, 2009 through November 2, 2009 at Catholic Charities, 26 W St Charles Rd. Lombard, IL 60148. No class will be held on Monday October 12th in observance of the Columbus Day Holiday. Baby sitting will be available.

If you would like to enroll in the program or have any questions, please contact Ron Madsen (rmadsen@cc-doj.org) or Jane Tyschenko (jtyschenko@cc-doj.org). There is no fee for this program which is open to all.

Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Free Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

Get Reputable Information from a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency to Help You Save Your Home.

• The Latest on President Obama’s Foreclosure Initiatives
• Options for Preventing Foreclosure
• Advice on Working Effectively with Your Lender
• Consumer Alerts on Foreclosure Scams

Saturday, March 28, 2009 from 2 pm to 4 pm
Outreach Community Center
345 S. President Street, Carol Stream, IL 60188

Space is Limited – Reservations are Required.  Call (630) 260-2500, ext. 2501, or visit www.dhoc.org

Sponsored by the DuPage Homeownership Center

A one-time Economic Recovery Payment of $250 will be made in 2009. You do not have to file a tax return to get your economic recovery payment…

• If you are a retiree, disabled individual or a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipient, you will receive your Economic Recovery Payment directly from the Social Security Administration.
• If you receive disabled veterans benefits, you will receive your Economic Recovery Payment from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• If you receive Railroad Retirement benefits, you will receive your Economic Recovery Payment from the Railroad Retirement Board.

Contact the agency that pays your benefit for more information or the visit the IRS’ website.

Contact: Dru Bergman, (630) 260-2500, ext. 2502 or dru@dhoc.org

Free Home Buyers Fair Saturday, February 28th

Consumer Event Helps First-time Buyers Avoid Housing Pitfalls

The DuPage Homeownership Center and the DuPage County Department of Community Services are sponsoring a Free Home Buyers Fair on Saturday, February 28, 2009, to help first-time buyers avoid the pitfalls that have plunged so many current homeowners into crisis.

The Fair will be held from 10 am until 3 pm at the DuPage County Administration Building, 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

“Despite all the bad economic news, this actually is a great market for first-time buyers,” said Dru Bergman, Executive Director of the DuPage Homeownership Center. “They don’t have properties to sell, there’s ample housing inventory and interest rates are low. But buyers have to be prepared.”

The Fair offers free workshops on all aspects of the home purchase process, as well as exhibits by area lenders, Realtors, insurance agents and other service providers. HUD representatives will be on hand to discuss FHA loans and DuPage Habitat for Humanity will host an application session for buyers interested in their programs at 10 am. (DuPage Habitat is an equal opportunity houser at www.dupagehabitat.org.)

The DuPage Homeownership Center is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency serving DuPage County. In addition to sponsoring the Annual Home Buyers Fair, the Center offers free classes and individual counseling for first-time home buyers, free foreclosure prevention counseling for DuPage County homeowners in financial crisis and free reverse mortgage counseling for senior homeowners.

For more information about the Fair or any of the DuPage Homeownership Center’s services, call (630) 260-2500 or visit their website at www.dhoc.org.

Free electronic tax preparation, e-filing, ITIN applications and financial services…

Get the most out of your refund this tax season – have your taxes prepared for free by the Tax Assistance Program. With over 1,800 trained volunteer professionals, the Tax Assistance Program will electronically prepare and e-file your tax return for free to help you get your money back faster. If needed, we will help you fill out a W-7 Form to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

Please read this document – 2009-tax-assistance-program-flyer – for more information.