Foreclosure Angels fly into St. Cloud
(June 9, 2009 – St. Cloud, Minn.) Employees at Catholic Charities know that angels (and saints) exist – they see them every day as donors and volunteers.
But on June 9, a special angel flew into Catholic Charities Emergency Services to surprise Shirley Dvorak, an Experience Works Trainee at Catholic Charities.
Marilyn Mock of The Foreclosure Angel Foundation, along with a crew from ABC’s 20/20 surprised Shirley with breathtaking news – Foreclosure Angels had paid the mortgage and back taxes on her home.
Shirley had been struggling financially since she lost her job a several years ago and was nearing the point of losing her home. “I cringed every time I heard the phone ring – even at Catholic Charities,” said Dvorak, afraid the caller would be from her mortgage company.
Now, the foundation only asks Dvorak to pay what she can for her mortgage – and will use those funds to help others.
“We are absolutely thrilled at what the foundation is doing for Shirley,” said Steve Bresnahan, Executive Director of Catholic Charities. “Our programs can counsel people, and with our limited dollars we can provide small amounts of assistance, but what The Foreclosure Angel Foundation is doing is truly amazing.”
The Foreclosure Angel Foundation was born when Marilyn Mock of Rockwall, Texas saw a need in November of 2008 to help her neighbor, Tracy who was about to lose her home. With no where else to turn but the streets, her home went up on the auction block. Marilyn bought the home at the auction price and sold it right back to the owners at the now lower cost. Mock had a keen sense that “It could be me in that situation.”
Shirley’s story will be featured on the June 19 edition of 20/20, which is broadcast locally on KSTP, channel 5.
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Catholic Charities is a nonprofit organization that advances the charitable and social mission of the Diocese of St. Cloud. It builds communities, promotes family life, and enhances human dignity by providing quality services to meet the physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families of all faiths and beliefs.