Campaign Against Wells Fargo Saves Family From Eviction
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SUPERIOR – Through grassroots power, a Superior family’s home is now saved.
Nearly two months of campaigning at Wells Fargo results in a loan modification for a family with a multi-disabled child.
"I'm just overwhelmed with all of it," said Mary Ann Jones, whose home was saved by Project Save Our Homes.
It was an emotional day for Mary Ann and her daughter Tracie Kotter.
They stood outside Wells Fargo and announced their home for 21 years is no longer in foreclosure.
"Everything is still like, I'm in a cloud and I can't believe it's happened," said Jones.
"I'm happy," said Kotter.
It’s a victory two years in the making.
Three years ago Tracie was diagnosed with colon cancer.
"She almost died,” said Jones. "They opened her up three times in one week."
Resulting in $500,000 in medical bills and retiring Jones from her job.
"She could not be left alone so I was unable to work,” said Jones. "At that point I got behind on my house payment."
Mary Ann said she tried many times to work with Wells Fargo to save her home, but they refused to work with her.
"They said there's nothing they can do,” said Jones. "My house payments were due and it was my obligation to pay the house payment."
A sheriff served her with papers and her home was set to be sold on the courthouse steps in Superior.
"I wouldn't stop fighting,” said Jones.
She contacted Project Save Our Homes and Lutheran Social Services who launched a campaign against Wells Fargo by handing out petitions and using social media.
"We know that the banks pay attention to their public image,” said Project Save Our Homes member Joel Kilgour. "If they don't care about Mary Anne and Tracie, they do care about that."
The short sale on Jones’s home was put to a halt.
"Well then that gave me a little bit of hope,” said Jones.
Just a day ago Mary Ann and Tracie received the phone call they had been waiting for.
"They've worked out a deal and we're saving your home,” said Jones. "I said 'Oh my God I don't believe it.'"
"When Joanne called, I got happy," said Kotter.
The nearly 2,000 petitions they collected are no longer needed.
Jones and the non-profit organization delivered them anyway to send a message.
"We are watching,” said Kilgour. "Our community cares and we're gonna fight for our neighbors, we're gonna defend our homes."
"Anybody out there who knows they need help, let your pride down come forward let us help," said Jones.
Project Save Our Homes officials say they plan to work with local legislatures to enact an ordinance to hold banks accountable.
