As part of the Huffington Post's effort to bear witness to the effects of the current economic environment on ordinary Americans, we're rounding up some of the most compelling stories reported by local news organizations around the country.
The idea of a home of one's own and a place to raise one's family has been glorified as the American dream for generations. Immigrants have long clamored for a piece of the proverbial pie, and contemporary foreigners from South and Latin America continue the history. In the recent financial crisis, though, some of these families, eager to establish themselves and uncertain about the small print, are being taken advantage of.
Carmen and Luis Amiel represent one such case. Luis moved to the United States from Peru decades ago. Carmen came north from Mexico. The two met, married, had children in California and moved to Kansas City three years ago after hearing about the city's great housing market.
Sylvia Maria Fross, of local radio station KCUR, reports that the family bought a home there at a cheap price. But Luis lost one of his two jobs earlier this year and had no idea how to continue paying his mortgage or refinance his loan. This image of the American dream is now at risk of foreclosure. Amiel is considering leaving his family and moving back to California, where he can make more money, to keep his wife and kids in the house.
Licha Ybarra started a local home-ownership program aimed at native Spanish speakers with Harvest America, a Kansas City nonprofit, and has been advising the Amiels since Luis lost his job. She has seen a number of Latino immigrants preyed upon, and is anxious to help:
"I have to tell you that most Latinos are ready," Ybarra says. They have their money saved up, they have their savings, they have great work history, great rent history."
"...So here they were signing all these documents, you know, paying all these high fees, interest rates, paying all this money to the broker, to the real estate agent. And you know what, a lot of Spanish-speaking brokers, and a lot of Spanish-speaking real estate agents sadly took advantage of their own people."
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Jaclyn Foutz left her high-paying job as a lawyer to dedicate herself to helping others when they need it most. She has committed herself to making a line of jewelry, the proceeds of which go to assisting people with outstanding medical debt, reports Phoenix Fox affiliate KSAZ. Her business, called the Human Tribe Project, makes necklaces with the initials of someone who needs help. "I think when you find out about a friend's diagnosis or a friend's accident, you feel really helpless and what we provide is a way for you to help your friends," she explains. The necklaces raise awareness for an ineffective medical system at the same time they raise money for the families. Fifteen dollars of the $20 price tag goes directly to the person in need to help them cut down on debt and stay out of bankruptcy, reports KSAZ. Outstanding medical bills can easily lead to financial ruin. Even if the patient has health insurance, the costs of medical procedures and treatments continue to add up.
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Unemployed workers in tough financial times face incredible amounts of stress, but many are having a hard time getting coverage for their mental health. People are more depressed, reports Jennifer Reed of the San Diego News Network. But more and more cases are going untreated due to lack of insurance and the inability to afford the high cost of counseling and therapy. Local no-fee clinics have noted a huge increase in patients in the past year and officials note that, even for those with health care, the high cost of mental health co-pays can be prohibitive.
Employers are also cutting back on the level of coverage they are willing to provide their workers. Angela Carrillo, at the Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital in San Diego, told SDNN that "[c]ompanies have a choice what level of coverage they will offer," and as a result of the current economic climate, "companies will opt for lower levels of coverage." Mental health coverage is not covered under the most bare-bones plans, though some state laws mandate that insurance companies continue to cover mental health issues the same way they would physical health issues. Sadly, for many uninsured and under-insured, that is not enough.
HuffPost readers: Seen a good local story? Heard about a heroic judge, neighbor, or doctor helping people stay in their homes? Tell us about it! Email jmhattem@gmail.com.