On March 6, 2009 PICO leaders began a journey across the country to share and gather stories of foreclosure. They met many people with stories of hardship and pain but also of incredible faith and hope for the future.
The "Recovery Express" went from Antioch, California to Washington D.C. to stop preventable foreclosures. To read about and watch highlights of each of their 8 stops, click here.
When: March 6 - 10, 2009
What: On March 6, in Antioch, CA, families at-risk of foreclosure and who've lost their homes began a cross-country caravan. The "Recovery Express" visited 8 cities hard-hit by the economic crisis and arrived in Washington, DC on March 10 to meet with Congress and the Obama Administration. Rallies and prayer services highlighted the need for BANKS and CONGRESS to support plans announced by the federal government to help families stay in their homes.
Where: Antioch, CA; Denver, CO; Kansas City, MO; Springfield, IL; Chicago, IL; Flint, MI; Camden, NJ; and Washington, DC. *See the full itinerary* Solidarity Events in: Fresno, CA; Bakersfield, CA; San Mateo, CA; Oakland, CA; Las Vegas, NV; and Hawaii.
Why: Families & neighborhoods are in crisis. One in ten home mortgages is either delinquent or in foreclosure. 13.6 million families owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth. So far, over 3 million families have lost their home to foreclosure, and another 10 million could do so before the crisis ends. Most at-risk are those homeowners who were victims of predatory lending, and who are now paying the price while they watch banks get bailed out.
This crisis is also an opportunity to turn things around, to recognize that we are all interconnected, that millions of foreclosures not only put families on the streets, they also bring down housing values everywhere. We're all in this together, and we can only get out by acting together.
What you can do:
Call your Member of Congress
*Call PICO's Congressional hotline at (202) 350-9734, ask to speak to your Member of Congress (find your Member of Congress here), and tell them, "I want you to strongly support President Obama's foreclosure prevention plan, including allowing homeowners to modify their loans in bankruptcy court."
Clergy: Sign the petition
*Please forward this link onto your pastor or clergy member and encourage them to sign!
BLOG:
On the road with the "Recovery Express"
Click here to see "RECOVERY EXPRESS" PICTURES
NEXT STEPS:
Urge the Senate to vote for banruptcy reform. Find your representative (here), call PICO's Congressional hotline at (202) 350-9734.
UPDATE: "Recovery Express" on White House Blog click here to read more.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:00 a.m.
* Washington D.C. Press Conference
Recovery Riders along with PICO Leaders from across the nation, held a press conference in front of the Capitol to urge the Senate to vote for banruptcy reform and stop preventable foreclosures. Over 9.3 million viewers saw the above CNN report, more than one hundred stories were generated out of the the press conference. The senate is expected to vote on foreclosure reform within the next two weeks. 3 million families will be affected on the outcome of this vote.
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.