Donate to LSNA and Help us Grow Talents and Leaders!

Dear LSNA Supporter ,                                                                                  

After months of fighting their foreclosure with the support of Logan Square Neighborhood Association and pro bono legal support from Anderson and Moore, P.C., Isidra and Wenceslao Martinez’s future is still uncertain. 

The Martinezes’ team argued they had proof of payments and that the family was never served by their lender Chase Bank.  They further argued that Chase was fraudulent because the bank’s representatives told the judge the Martinezes didn’t pay their mortgage during a time when their legal team had proof of payment.

The bank’s response? Rather than investigate whether or not it was in the wrong in its attempt to foreclosure on a family who had been in their home since 1991 and had tenants counting on them, the bank started over.  Chase vacated the case and re-filed a new foreclosure case against the Martinezes on January 27th starting the whole process over again.

Fortunately for the Martinez family, LSNA’s Community Resource Director helped get their story additional media attention, including from The Chicago Tribune (see footnote).[1]  Within days of this story going to print, Chase Bank vacated the second foreclosure filing and called the Martinezes’ lawyer to negotiate their process. 

This is just one reason why LSNA Community Resource Director Marcelo Ferrer, who directs LSNA’s

foreclosure outreach team, says, “For people in foreclosure or who are experiencing difficulty with their mortgage it’s imperative that they call us at LSNA . . . We can guide you through the process.” 

Can we count on you to help LSNA connect people like Isidra and Wenceslao to vital resources by making a tax-exempt donation this year?

LSNA, the Martinezes, and their legal team are optimistic.  Though the Martinez couple both lost their factory jobs and are under great stress, they have the support of their children, unemployment benefits, and their tenants’ income to support their continuing payments.  Not to mention that unlike a third of Chicago home-owners,[2] the Martinezes are not under water on their loan.  But the continuing support of LSNA’s foreclosure outreach team to the Martinez family and others like them is crucial.  The team connects families to resources, helping to guide them through the complicated and confusing red tape.  And with supporters like you, programs like these and our other work can continue going strong.

Here are just a few examples of where your money can be used:

• $720 pays for an entire month’s salary for two part-time Foreclosure Outreach Team members to go door-to-door talking to tenants about their rights.
• $180 will cover the costs of one Health Outreach Team member during two 3-hour shifts in a week of direct outreach at the local unemployment office, linking individuals/families to public benefits and community resources associated with health and food.
• $150 allows one youth to receive Peace Circle training.
• $60 keeps a Parent Mentor in her or his vital role supporting a classroom teacher for one week.
• $25 will help cover the cost of program and meeting supplies for the Health Outreach Team, helping the team connect under-served families to quality, affordable health services.

And as always, community donors like you help to provide us with vital unrestricted funds—funds that undergird our work in order for us to run our programs successfully.  Please consider supporting LSNA to ensure that the organization that has provided a foundation for neighborhood leaders for almost 49 years can continue to do so in 2011!  Any amount is greatly appreciated! 

Thank you so much,

Logan Square Neighborhood Association

Nancy Aardema, Executive Director

P.S.  There are a number of ways to contribute to LSNA besides donating from your pocketbook. See below for more ideas on how to contribute to LSNA’s Annual Campaign.

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Please enclose this stub with cash or check made out to Logan Square Neighborhood Association and mail it or drop it off at 2840 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60618.  Donations can also be made on our website at www.lsna.net.  All donations are tax-deductible.

Name:______________________________________  Address:________________________________________________

Telephone Number:_______________________   Email:______________________________

I will contribute to LSNA by:

? Making a Donation in the amount of  $_____                       ? Hosting a Community Fundraising Event                

? Writing LSNA into my will/leaving a bequest                          ? Participating in my Employer Matching Gift Program

Would you like to stay informed of LSNA’s programs and campaigns by receiving the LSNA newsletter? ________       ? By email    ? Regular mail                                                         

2011 Annual Campaign

 

Logan Square Neighborhood Association 2840 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, Illinois 60618