Monday, March 9, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes its final stop in Washington D.C.

 

After 3,000 miles, 8 cities, four days of non-stop driving, and one warm shower, recovery riders arrived at our nation's Capitol with painful stories of foreclosure and the hardship that prevails in its aftermath.

Over 200 PICO leaders from around the nation had gathered at the Marriott Suites for the Family.... Recovery riders entered the conference hall singing the songs that have carried them all througout the "Recovery Express."

They were met with a standing ovation, hugs, and tears. The convening had the feeling of a family coming together in celebration of a safe and meaninful return. The energy in the room carried over until the next day where a press conference was scheduled as well as a very important meeting at the White House with HUD and Obama administration staff.

Monday, March 9, 2009 - 2:00 p.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes a stop at Camden, NJ

 

Recovery riders got to experience the real effects of a once thriving community filled with jobs go through the difficulty of trying to repair itself after an economic collapse. Camden, New Jersey, once home to RCA Records and Campbell's Soup, looks like the aftermath of some long forgotten war. A terrible cycle of poverty persists, but leaders at CCOP have not given up on their dreams.

A press conference was scheduled to coincide with the arrival of the "Recovery Express" where PICO leaders shared their testimonies alongside testimony from Camden residents. The event culminated in a meal in the Sword of the Spirit Christian Center.

PICO leaders shared their stories with each other and prepared themselves for their final destination. As the group began boarding the bus, the Recovery riders received a blessing and more encouragement.

"You represent all of us, you are the chosen ones," said Camden Churches United for Change (CCOP) leader Rosa Ramirez, and added with great pride "Pa'lante, siempre, pa'lante! Onward, always onward!"

Sunday, March 8, 2009 - 11:00 p.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes a stop at Flint, MI

 

With chants of "We love Flint" which followed the gospel song "I Need You" PICO leaders received a warm welcome from Flint Area Congregations Together (FACT) in Flint, Michigan. Though the "Recovery Express" was delayed for four hours, the food was kept warm and there was much celebration at their arrival.

FACT organized an action which consisted of 150 community members and public officials working together to address the rampant foreclosure problem.

Flint is not new to the foreclosure crisis. During the recession in the 1980's many homes were left abandoned and continue to be boarded up to this day. It gave recovery riders of what is to come if the Senate does not pass bankruptcy reform.

After sharing stories and testimonies, FACT and Recovery riders took time for prayer and blessings with the hopes of taking their message to Washington D.C.

Sunday, March 8, 2009 - 3:00 p.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes a stop at Chicago, IL.

 

The rain poured in buckets and suddenly stopped as the "Recovery Express" entered the southside of Chicago just minutes before the Albany Park Neighborhood Council (APNC) began their action.

PICO Leaders entered the Indo-American Center on California and Devon St. and were cheered by the 150 people who had convened to address the effects of the hidden victims of the foreclosure crisis--the renters.

Over 200 buildings in Chicago were given loans in a condo conversion mortgage fraud that made millions for investors and has left thousands of renters facing eviction. Testimony was given by APNC leaders who fell victim to this type of fraud. They organized themselves in a true story of triumph and were able to stop their eviction.

"We were able to stand together to fight for our homes," said APNC leader Esteban Cruz, "By exercising our rights, we brought about change for all Cook County and now we're taking our story to D.C. and jumping on board the 'Recovery Express'."

PICO leaders gave testimony which underscored the notion that action must be taken by the senate to ensure that the country gets back on track.

Sunday, March 8, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes a stop at Springfield, IL.

 

The rain stopped through the overnight ride to Springfield, Illinois as the "Recovery Express" drove into President Abraham Lincoln's birthplace.

Members of Cental Illinois Organizing Project (CIOP) prepared a morning Sunday service to welcome everyone and continue to inspire the "Recovery Riders" on their way to Washington D.C.

CCISCO leader Rosario Frisse gave testimony from the pulpit, "God is with us, he will provide the way, said Frisse, "The bright light is coming ahead and we're going to make it through."

After the service, breakfast was served and the PICO leaders headed out for a march and press conference in front of Lincoln's historic home.

Faith in Community leader Crispina Cardenas told the senate loud and clear, "We want action on bankruptcy reform now!"

After the press conference, the "Recovery Riders" boarded the bus and prepared themselves for the trip to Chicago, IL.

When asked why he had boarded the "Recovery Express," Reverend Dale Shotts of St. Luke's United Methodist and CCO spoke from the heart.

"I am riding the 'Recovery Express' to express my faith in Jesus Christ to bring about changes on foreclosure and health care--We need mortgage and healthcare reform now because these are family values."

The "Recovery Riders" are just four stops away from Washington D.C. and their message is resonating everywhere and with everyone. Senators must act and they must act soon.

Saturday, March 7, 2009 - 9:20 p.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes a stop at Kansas City, MO.

The rain put a bit of a hamper on the "Recovery Express," but the spirit of faith kept the roar of the engine going.

PICO leaders read passages from Ezekiel for inspiration and focused on their belief in bringing the word of God and truth to the Senate. Bankruptcy reform continues to be at the forefront of their message.

"This is the mission that God has sent us on, this is the voice of the millions who have been abused and continue to be abused," said Faith in Community leader Crispina Cardenas.

The stories of loss and hardship that were shared in the bus reverberated in the heart of all "Recovery Riders." Out of these stories came the courage to stand up and cotinue onward to Washington D.C. The truth must be told.

The rain slowed down the progress on the road, but not the message. Over the phone, OCO leader Pastor Lucy Kolin, CCISCO leader Yessenia Morales and FIC leader Benjamin Torres gave testimony to more than 100 community members.

Morales, whose father paints foreclosed homes that have been purchased by banks, gave powerful testimony to witnessing the effects of a forced eviction.

"It's like the family just vanished," said Yessenia Morales, "there was a christmas present half unwrapped on the floor, there was a little boys spider man pyjama in the closet--that's when I realized this family had left behind all their memories and future dreams."

The "Recovery Express" arrived at the Communities Creating Opportunities (CCO) action singing and were welcomed by CCO leaders with a feast of delicious Kansas City style cuisine.

There was prayer and blessings all around as the "Recovery Express" picked up a few more riders, headed off to well deserved showers a few miles down.

Saturday, March 7, 2009 - 9:00 a.m.

* The "Recovery Express" makes a stop at Aurora, CO.

 

The morning sun peaked out over the mountains and shined brightly announcing the new day.

The "Recovery Riders" pulled into St. Pius X Catholic Parish in Aurora, CO, opened its doors and out came a flurry of music and song as the PICO leaders sang "This Land is Your Land" to the Metro Organizations for People (MOP) leaders.

"We're taking our message to Washington!" said MOP leader Gordon Duvall, "I believe that with Obama's plan and with bankruptcy reform, millions of people will get the help they need."

PICO leaders want bankruptcy reform which will force the banks to start working with people and stop the more than 40,000 foreclosures happening every week. Next week, the senate will be making some key decisions regarding bankruptcy reform. "Recovery Riders" are ready to take their message to their representatives.

After a quick breakfast and some coffee, the "Recovery Riders" got on the bus and said goodbye to Colorado and headed straight to Kansas City.

Friday, March 6, 2009

* CCISCO Leaders attend mass at Holy Rosary Church, hold press conference and head for Denver, CO.

 

"We're saying enough is enough! We're getting on the bus and we're going to fight for millions of families all across the country," said CCISCO Leader Berenice Ramos to the news cameras and reporters in front of the "Recovery Express" bus.

CCISCO and Faith in Community Leaders gathered at the Holy Rosary Church in Antioch to share their foreclosure stories. The press conference consisted of various testimonies, prayer and revelation about the true nature subprime mortgagages which has hurt communities across the country.

Leaders boarded the "Recovery Express," and prepared themselves for the long road ahead. As the bus pulled out of the parking lot and made its way past the delta and Contra Costa wetlands, they were met with excitement at the opportunity to share their stories.

On the bus, Leaders talked to each other about the commonality of their hardships, of the growing concern of the effects on their families and of the hope and optimism that prevails thanks to their devotion to their faith.

As the "Recovery Express" rolled on and passed miles of mountains, pine trees weighed down by the snow showed signs of life as the Spring is making way for the growth that awaits the new season.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

• CCISCO Leaders Gather Signatures for Bankruptcy Reform Petition

 

On Sunday, CCISCO Leaders went to Holy Rosary Church in Antioch and Queen of all Saints Church in Concord to speak to parishioners about the importance of the upcoming "Recovery Express" event on Friday, March 6, 2009.

At the different masses held that day, they passed out a petition which will be presented to President Barack Obama. By the end of the night they had gathered more than 800 signatures.

CCISCO Leaders will be collecting more and more signed petitions at each of the 8 stops on the "Recovery Express" tour and will make its final stop at the PICO Faith and Families Economic Recovery summit.