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April 2008

Greetings! 

United Way's 2-1-1 of WNC's e-newsletter is a resource for you.  We provide this as a way to keep in touch, highlight local health and human service initiatives, promote information and referral tools for serving your clients, gain your feedback, and strengthen our community partnerships.

If you have information to include in this newsletter, or have questions or comments, please feel free to contact us. The information in our free e-newsletter is meant to be shared. Please forward and encourage your friends to sign-up.

We hope you find the information useful and we look forward to hearing from you.

foreclosureHOPE Hotline to Help People Facing Foreclosure

North Carolinians can call the toll-free HOPE Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (888) 995-HOPE to receive free counseling on options to avoid foreclosure.  The hotline will connect callers with non-profit housing and credit counselors in their local community who can advise them about options such as modifying their loan, selling or refinancing their home or setting up a repayment plan with their lender.
 
Local non-profits will also be able to connect hotline callers with other resources as needed, such as referrals for legal help when there is evidence that the homeowner may have been the victim of predatory or abusive lending practices.   The Attorney General's Office will be notified when there is a pattern of lending abuses and can take action to enforce North Carolina's strong laws against predatory lending. 
 
Counselors can also help connect homeowners who qualify with Federal Housing Administration secure loans.  In some cases, non-profits may be able to purchase a home before it is foreclosed upon and then lease it back to the homeowner, applying their lease payments to the purchase of the home.
 
More information about the hotline and the organizations involved is available at www.ncforeclosurehelp.org.
Tools for You 
New 2-1-1 Online Database
 
2-1-1 WNC is making strides to increase access to community service information for all North Carolinians.  On April 15th, 2-1-1 introduced a new online community database that is the product of an exciting partnership with the other 2-1-1 centers in North Carolina.  The new system provides a single searchable website that contains community resource information from various communities from across the state.  
 
Please remember, we are here to help you find the resources you are looking for.  If you have any questions or comments about the new system, please get in touch.  You may reach us by emailing 211info@unitedwayabc.org or by dialing 2-1-1 from a landline or 252-HELP (4357) from a cell phone.
Agency Survey
 
2-1-1 is conducting an annual evaluation process, and we are looking for feedback from local service providers. Since 2-1-1 makes frequent referrals to your programs and services, your feedback is essential for us to evaluate our service delivery and to help us identify ways in which we can improve.
 
 
We value your time and input! 
Community Resource Spotlight
Senior Dining Programs senior dining
 
Senior Dining programs promote the independence and entertainment of senior citizens by providing a place for friendly talk, a good cup of coffee or tea, card games, bingo, music, birthday parties, informative programs and a variety of nutritious noon-time meals.  Transportation assistance is often available.  No fees typically apply, but donations are often accepted.
 
Senior Dining programs are available in all of the counties served by 2-1-1 WNC.  For more information about the program nearest you, contact:
 
Buncombe County:
Council on Aging of Buncombe County:  (828) 277-8288
Henderson County:
Council on Aging of Henderson County:  (828) 692-3320  
Madison County:
Madison County Department of Community Services:  (828) 649-3587   
Transylvania County:
Western Carolina Community Action:  (828) 884-3219