For Immediate Release

December 7, 2011
Contact: Raquel Valdez 1-888-385-1975
512-383-0025

NeighborWorks® offers coaching to Extreme Makeover: Home Edition families

Non-profit will provide customized education to ensure long term success

Bastrop County, Texas - The ABC television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has joined forces with NeighborWorks® America, a national non-profit network, to provide financial coaching to the families chosen to receive new homes.

Business and Community Lenders (BCL) of Texas is the local NeighborWorks America charter organization in the Austin area assisting the family chosen to receive a new home.  Counselors on staff evaluate the family’s financial situation to provide guidance and asset-building education.  As a HUD-approved counseling agency, these services are provided free of charge to the public.

Research shows that families that receive counseling are less likely to encounter financial difficulties that prevent them from retaining their home.  This would allow the families to manage their debts and be better prepared to pay for the cost of higher property taxes resulting from the gift of a larger and more valuable home, as well as to prepare for any maintenance responsibilities.

“BCL of Texas is excited that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has realized the value of coaching for recipient families,” said Rosa Rios Valdez, CEO of BCL of Texas.  “Without the proper education it is too easy for families to fall back into hardship.  Our goal is to teach them not only to avoid financial pitfalls, but to build their wealth and assets for the future to ensure stability for decades.”

Producers of the Emmy-winning ABC show recently announced plans to film an episode for a family chosen in the Bastrop County area, due to the significant physical and financial damage to the area from the ongoing drought and resulting wildfires that occurred earlier this year.  Details can be found at www.joinextreme.com/texas.  Further information on free financial counseling services can be found at www.bclhomeownershipcenter.org or by calling (888)385-1975.