As foreclosures in Connecticut reach their highest levels in decades, students in the University's Paralegal Program are stepping in to help people at risk of losing their homes.

The Paralegal Program and the Connecticut Fair Housing Center are collaborating to provide Foreclosure Prevention Clinics, offering guidance on how to navigate the judicial foreclosure and mediation process, as well as providing one-on-one counseling with volunteer attorneys and University of Hartford paralegal students.

These free clinics will be held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Handel Performing Arts Center Community Room, 35 Westbourne Parkway (corner of Albany Avenue) in Hartford, beginning Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m. The classes are open to anyone facing foreclosure. No pre-registration is required.

The Foreclosure Prevention Clinics will be taught by an attorney from the Connecticut Fair Housing Center with assistance from attorneys who are a part of the Foreclosure Prevention Pro Bono Panel, a project of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center carried out under the auspices of the Connecticut Bar Association. These volunteer attorneys, along with paralegal students, will also be available to meet with individuals at the classes.

"Because the vast majority of students in the Paralegal Program are adult students who are making changes from corporate careers, careers in insurance, accounting, teaching and other professions that have been affected by lay-offs and cut-backs, they are better able to communicate and empathize with the homeowners," stated Deborah Boyle, Paralegal Studies program manager. "Paralegal students also feel gratified in using their legal knowledge to help others."

The Connecticut Fair Housing Center has, in addition, produced a detailed manual to assist individuals as they navigate through the legal process of foreclosure. The self-help manual will be available to homeowners in the classes first and then to the general public.

The Connecticut Fair Housing Center's work on this initiative is funded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving as well as the State of Connecticut. For more information about the Connecticut Fair Housing Center's services, visit www.ctfairhousing.org.