As the recession continues persistence of massive layoffs, skyrocketing foreclosures and depressed home values meant another month of Jefferson County singles, couples and families coming to Jeffco Action Center for help.

For the 11th month in a row, Jeffco Action Center saw a double digit increaseclient services given versus last year. In May 2008, the Action Center provided aid to an average of 104 clients a day. This year the numbers rose by 15 percent to an average of 120 clients per day. In total the Action Center helped nearly 2,300 households in May of which 840 client have received help for the first time.

"We are seeing so many new and existing clients whose self-sufficiency is put at riskbecauseof the economy," said Executive Director Mag Strittmatter. "For them, our services are a haven during this difficult time and we are doing our very best to meet this expanding need."

The continued difficult economic conditions are pushing more and more families into a cycle of poverty that is hard to overcome. Nationwide, 12 percent of homeowners are behind on their mortgage payments or on the brink of foreclosure. The Mortgage Bankers Association recently stated that the rising rates of people losing their homes are not predicted to ease up until the end of next year.

According to the Labor Department 520,000 jobs were lost in May, creating yet another month of record unemployment. Forecasters predict that the unemployment rate will not return to its average, 5 percent, until the year 2013. Currently the rate nearly doubles that. As jobs are lost, income dries up and bills pile up creating a situation that forces Jefferson County residents to choose between paying the rent or putting food on the table. The Action Center fills this gap by providing services that meet several areas of need thus preventing these difficult choices from coming up at all.

ABOUT JEFFCO ACTION CENTER
Jeffco Action Center, a human-services non-profit, provides an immediate response to basic human needs and promotes pathways to self-sufficiency through intervention, prevention and connection to essential services. More than 25,000 Jefferson County residents receive assistance annually at the Action Center with food, clothing, homeless shelter, medical and utility assistance. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the Action Center gives help, provides hope and builds dignity while breaking the cycle of poverty. For more information and to make donations please contact Joe Haines at 303-237-7704 or visit us at www.jeffcoac.org.