My name is Vickie Patson and I am serving in my second year with AmeriCorps at the H.O.M.E. of Mackinac County office in the Upper Peninsula as a Foreclosure Prevention Intake Specialist. I originally applied and accepted this position because of a lack of employment opportunities in the U.P. and this position has offered me insight in to the world of foreclosure.

My agency took on the task of providing foreclosure prevention to the entire Upper Peninsula with the exception of two counties. The last few months have brought a vast array of unique and challenging situations. We had to work out a system to get documents back and forth from the outlying counties that are five hours away and also the challenge of working in different time zones. There are several counties on the western end of the U.P. that are in the central time zone.

My site supervisor and I are a great team and have worked out a system that has enabled us to provide resources, budget counseling and foreclosure prevention to these families. Our teamwork and the good working relationship we have with the Step Forward Michigan Hardest Hit Funds have had a great impact in the lives of these families. We have had great success in saving many homes from foreclosure.

The AmeriCorps position has offered not only an income for me, but the opportunity to make a difference in many lives.  I am grateful to have had this experience to serve.

Vickie Patson is an AmeriCorps member at the H.O.M.E. of Mackinac County in St. Ignace.

This post is part of a blog series highlighting the viewpoints of Michigan AmeriCorps Foreclosure Prevention Corps members serving at different foreclosure host sites around Michigan. View information about the program or see more stories in this series.