High foreclosure rates in Richland County is one of several factors causing many people to feel helpless and hopeless.

Catholic Charities and ESOP are working together to fight foreclosures in our area. Catholic Charities executive director Rebecca Owens told the county commisisoners Tuesday the agencies have been successful in their mission to save homes from foreclosure.

Owens said there are 14 trained volunteer counselors who work with clients. She said the counselors meet with the clients and review their information to see if they can help them stay in their home.

Bond said ESOP and Catholic Charities has handled 300 cases this year with an 80 percent success rate.

For more information contact Catholic Charities at 419-524-0733 or Tracy Bond at ESOP at 419-989-6349.