July 23, 2007
Homeownership Preservation Foundation Welcomes Countrywide Financial’s Support of the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline
MINNEAPOLIS (July 19, 2007) – The Homeownership Preservation Foundation has received a $150,000 grant from Countrywide Financial and has appointed Sandor E. Samuels to its Board of Directors.
“We greatly appreciate Countrywide’s contribution of both leadership to our Board and financial support to our counseling service,” said Colleen Hernandez, President and Executive Director of the Homeownership Preservation Foundation. “As we expand our services to reach more homeowners throughout the country, we are looking to our partners to proactively involve themselves in the foreclosure prevention effort. Their commitment is impressive.”
“Countrywide is a strong supporter of the Homeownership Preservation Foundation,” said Samuels, Executive Managing Director, Chief Legal Officer and Assistant Secretary for Countrywide Financial Corporation. “The 888-995-HOPE foreclosure counseling hotline has been a lifesaver for many homeowners across the country, and the Foundation continues to be a laboratory for foreclosure prevention best practices. I look forward to working with such an innovative and solutions-oriented organization.”
“Mr. Samuels brings enormous capabilities to our Board at a crucial stage in the Foundation’s development,” said Michael Seats, chair of the Homeownership Preservation Foundation’s Board of Directors. “He’s a tireless advocate for homeowners and has been instrumental for garnering support of industry leaders. We look forward to adding his insight and guidance to our Board.”
In addition to Samuels and Seats, other members of the Foundation Board of Directors include Bruce Paradis, former CEO of Residential Capital LLC; Sharon Sayles Belton, former mayor of Minneapolis, and managing director of community relations for Residential Capital LLC; Tom Jacob, former Chairman and CEO of Chase Manhattan Mortgage; William Apgar, Jr., Former Assistant Secretary of Housing and current lecturer in public policy, Harvard University; Walt Fricke, former Foundation executive director and current chairman, CEO, and founder of Veteran's Airlift Command.
About the Homeownership Preservation Foundation
Founded in 2003, The Homeownership Preservation Foundation is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing foreclosures and preserving homeownership for American homeowners. The Foundation partners with city, county and state governments; federal government agencies; community-based non-profit organizations; and mortgage companies to offer creative solutions to preserve homeownership. HPF’s cornerstone service is the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline, a foreclosure prevention counseling service available free to American homeowners by calling 888-995-HOPE. For more information about the Homeownership Preservation Foundation or the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline, please visit www.995hope.org.
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