Volunteers are needed to help with the foreclosure crisis sweeping Minnesota. On Tuesday, January 22nd, a free training program will be held at the University of St. Thomas School of Law from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, in Rm. 238. The following agencies will conduct training for law students, lawyers, and anyone else who wants to help combat the wave of foreclosures in Minnesota:

• ACORN (the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now)
• the Foreclosure Relief Law Project,
• the Home Ownership Center of Minnesota,
• the Lawyers' Council on Social Justice,
• the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis,
• the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services,
• the Volunteer Lawyers Network, and others.

The training will provide information about the mortgage loan and foreclosure processes, how to spot red flags in loan documents, opportunities to help lawyers who are fighting the foreclosure crisis, and opportunities to work with advocates who seek to empower homeowners and their communities.

          Volunteers will be asked for a minimum time commitment of 3 hours per week through the spring. If you want to participate or have questions, please RSVP to or call Sara Sommarstrom at 651-962-4859 or stthomas@mnjustice.org. The University of St. Thomas School of Law is located at 1100 LaSalle Avenue in downtown Minneapolis. Parking is available at ramps located on 11th and Harmon Place, and at 10th and LaSalle streets, which are accessible through the skyway system.

          This training is to prepare volunteers to help with the foreclosure crisis. If you are a homeowner in distress, please call Don’t Borrow Trouble at 612-312-2020.