Foreclosure Crisis Explored in Open Forum Tonight at TAMIU

The nation’s foreclosure crisis will be the focus of a town hall-style open forum today from 6- 8 p.m. at Texas A&M International University’s Western Hemispheric Trade Center (WHTC) Fernando A. Salinas Lecture Room (WHTC 111).

“The Foreclosure Crisis: Forum on Intervention and Prevention” is being presented by the University’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Chapter. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

The panelists include Roy C. Lopez, Federal Reserve of Dallas; Richard E. Sames, attorney at law; Angelica Martinez, Laredo Webb Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. and James A. Dickey of Coldwell Banker Ana Ochoa and Co.

Dr. Andres Rivas-Chavez, A. R. Sanchez School of Business assistant professor and SIFE advisor, said the Forum’s primary purpose is to encourage consumer awareness on new foreclosure laws.

“According to the Federal Reserve of Dallas, since 2005, foreclosures across the U.S. have escalated from historically low levels. Thousands of families across the nation are being affected by this financial crisis and Laredo is not immune. Our panelists and experts will discuss foreclosure statistics, provide a future outlook for Laredo and present steps that financial institutions follow to foreclose a home. Our guest speakers will also counsel the audience on what can be done to prevent or intervene in the process of a foreclosure,” Dr. Rivas-Chavez explained.

SIFE is a worldwide student organization comprised of approximately 38,000 university students in 48 countries.

The TAMIU SIFE mission is to prepare students for leadership roles through participation in quality programs. It utilizes border economics to create innovative projects that will empower, educate, and enhance the quality of life in the culturally diverse community of Laredo. The TAMIU Chapter first formed in 2005.

TAMIU SIFE has developed various programs mainly targeting low- to mid-income individuals, taught in both English and Spanish, with an audience ranging from first-grade children to adults, presented free of charge by volunteer TAMIU students dedicated to the economic development of Laredo.

Projects have included education and financial advice for families to improve credit scores and comprehensive child development and early education programs for low-income participants.

TAMIU-SIFE has helped approximately 700 community members, from first grade children to adults and hopes to help hundreds more.

For additional information on “The Foreclosure Crisis: Forum on Intervention and Prevention,” contact Dr. Rivas-Chavez at 326.2484 or Elsy Borgstedte, SIFE student officer, at 251-7026.

For more information on SIFE, visit sife.org

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu