Free workshops for at-risk homeowners

West Central MN Communities Action, Inc., is holding open houses throughout west central Minnesota for homeowners struggling to make house payments. The Open houses offer confidential meetings with non-profit foreclosure prevention specialists who will answer questions and provide an assistance that may be available. All of the events will be held from 5-7 p.m., and no registration is required.

August 25: Glenwood, Senior Nutrition Center, 107 S Franklin St.

August 28: Alexandria, Maritime Museum, Unicel Room, 205 3rd Ave W.

Sept. 4: Wheaton, Senior Center, 1025 Broadway Ave.

Sept. 11: Morris, Morris Council Chamber, 603 Oregon Ave.

Sept. 16: Alexandria, Maritime Museum, Unicel Room, 205 3rd Ave W.

Sept. 30: Elbow Lake, Elbow Lake COmmunity Building, Sanford Room, 341 Central Ave S.

Group Workcampers paint a brighter picture for Traverse County residents

Nearly 400 young people and volunteer leaders from around the country spent a week out of their summer to help paint and repair homes in Traverse County. (See slide show upper right!) Participants of the Land of Lakes Group Workcamp provided helping hands at many area households on low or fixed incomes that may not qualify to receive services from any other source. Many of the owners are not physically or financially able to make needed repairs to their homes.

Along with painting, the crews of 5-6 workers constructed porches and wheelchair ramps. They typically worked 7- to 8-hour days on 51 projects throughout Traverse County, Herman and Donnelly.

The workcamp was coordinated by the West Central Minnesota Communities Action, Inc.