Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson did not exist, even in embryonic form, 12 months ago. While there were organizations that worked to defend homeowners against foreclosure, there was not nearly the kind of community support for this defense tactic. However, at an event last month, 100 people from various different community organizations and activist groups, along with individual concerned citizens, marched through the streets of Poughkeepsie. As we rallied outside of 3 foreclosed homes, a clear message was sent to our local government: Either you fix up these homes and house the homeless, or we will.
This change is largely due to the emergence of the Occupy movement. Like other Occupy encampments around the country, Occupy Poughkeepsie set up an Anti-Foreclosure Working Group to tackle the increasing wave of home foreclosures. Incensed that taxpayers funneled 7 trillion dollars into the banks only to have the same banks kick our neighbors out of their homes, this working group garnered a great amount of support from the community and eventually spun-off to become its own organization, Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson.
Right now, the largest problem effecting the organization is its ability to reach out to homeowners in foreclosure. Volunteers are needed to canvass homes and spread the word. If you want to get involved, search Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson on Facebook or e-mail nobodyleavesmidhudson@gmail.com
Is your (or a friend's) home being foreclosed on? Contact nobodyleavesmidhudson@gmail.com and fight together to keep your home.
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