Business July 25, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Senior citizens who are experiencing economic hardships often do not know where to go for help. Lakeland Bank developed the Senior Solutions Workshop in conjunction with Intercounty Mortgage, as a starting point for advice and direction. The first luncheon for area seniors is scheduled for July 26 at Lakeland Bank’s Teaneck Office located at 417 Cedar Lane. A second luncheon will be held Aug. 9 at the bank’s Wyckoff Office located at 652 Wyckoff Avenue in Wyckoff. Lunch will be served at 12 p.m., and the program will run until 1:30 p.m. The Senior Solutions Workshop helps seniors make sure they are financially sound, and provide direction if they need any social services, legal help, or information on state/federally funded programs. Seniors learn how reverse mortgage financing and other financial options can help them keep their homes and ensure their long-term financial stability. Many homeowners do not understand the advantages of a reverse mortgage. A reverse mortgage can be used to pay off back taxes or a delinquent mortgage. It can prevent foreclosure and allow seniors to stay in their homes. It can also provide a stream of income to augment pensions and social security payments. There is no credit or income check, and it is a loan that can be easily approved based on the equity in the home. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there has been a 10-fold increase in the number of reverse mortgage loans backed by its Federal Lakeland Bank offers outreach in Wyckoff, Teaneck Housing Administration and will only increase as more baby boomers reach retirement. Englewood Attorney Karl Norgaard works with the Senior Solutions Team to provide seniors with guidance on their legal options and oversees reverse mortgage closings. For more information or to schedule a private workshop, please call Sandra Rostek at (973) 874-9018 or visit www.SeniorSolutionsWorkshop.com to view interviews on avoiding foreclosure and reverse mortgages. Lakeland Bancorp, the holding company for Lakeland Bank, has an asset base of approximately $2.9 billion and 47 offices spanning six northern New Jersey counties: Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren. Lakeland Bank offers an extensive array of consumer and commercial products and services, including online banking, localized commercial lending teams and 24-hour-or-less turnaround on consumer loan applications. For additional information about the full line of products and services, visit the bank’s website at LakelandBank.com. Hearts & Crafts Grief Counseling of Ramsey recently received a $5,000 grant from the William T. Morris Foundation in support of Hearts & Crafts’ counseling work with children and adults who have lost a loved one or are living with serious illness. This is the second grant this year the non-profit has received from the Connecticut-based foundation. The grant will be used to help families facing financial hardship after a loss or illness to receive the counseling and support they need to rebuild their lives. The William T. Morris Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that supports the arts, education, and health care. “The William T. Morris Foundation is proud to provide support to Hearts & Crafts Grief Counseling and we are grateful for all the great work they do in helping our local community,” said Foundation Vice President/Secretary Foundation supports counseling group Robert Patti of Ramsey. Hearts & Crafts Grief Counseling was founded in 1994 by Board Certified Art Therapist Laura Hudson, and is co-directed by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Terry DeBrule. The organization serves families who are living with serious illness and loss and is dedicated to providing a safe, caring environment as families work through the healing process. Clients of all ages receive both individual counseling and support groups. Clients come from over 80 communities in New York and New Jersey, and most are referred by schools, medical practices, and other Hearts & Crafts families. Hearts & Crafts is located at 60 East Main Street in Ramsey. Call (201) 818-9399 or visit www.heartsandcraftscounseling.org.