From the Chicago Tribune:

Five housing counseling agencies have organized a series of free workshops from February through May to focus on the negative impact of foreclosures on communities.

Each event will feature a panel presentation followed by a review of government and private sector efforts designed to address foreclosures. The events will close with information on resources available in impacted communities.

"Foreclosures are devastating for individuals and for communities," says Liz Caton, director of counseling services for the Northwest Side Housing Center and one of the event organizers. "We can soften the impact by getting more people information through forums like this, one-on-one time with a housing counselor and by supporting community-based education, planning, and advocacy."

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Agencies responsible for organizing these events include Interfaith Housing Center of the Northern Suburbs, Lakeside CDC, North Side Community Federal Credit Union, Northwest Side Housing Center and Rogers Park Community Development Corp. Each is a private, nonprofit housing counseling agency certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

<!-- END rail --> Here is the workshop schedule:

•Feb. 7, 9: 30 a.m. to noon at Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago. Contact: Munai Newash, North Side Community Federal Credit Union, 773-769-5800 ext. 228.

•March 21, 9:30 a.m to noon at Indo American Center, 6328 N California Ave., Chicago. Contacts: Heather Hain, Rogers Park Community Development Corp., 773-262-2290 ext. 12; Brian White, Lakeside Community Development Corp., 773-381-5253.

Read the full article for a schedule of workshops through May as well as information on DuPage County.