By Tim Saunders on May 21, 2010
Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am was on Oprah this week to launch a new a new foundation for families in danger of losing their homes in the current financial crisis.
The i.am.home Fund will help struggling families through grants.
“Growing up I dreamt that one day I’d be able to buy my mom a house and take care of my family,” said the musician. “I realized that dream and experienced the positive effect giving back had on my family. Now I am compelled to help others who are in jeopardy of losing their homes and inspire others to join the movement. The collapse of the housing market and the economic crisis has left millions in jeopardy of losing their homes. The crisis awakened a personal mission to create the i.am home fund to save people facing the very real problem of foreclosure and homelessness.”
The singer launched the fund by revealing to two families on the TV show that he had completely paid off their mortgages.
“I don’t dream of being mega, crazy rich; I just wanna be able to create, make music and help people,” he told Oprah. “Doing this isn’t gonna leave a dent in my house, but it could help somebody that really needs it. It’s something that means a lot to me.”
To find out more about the fund, click here.
about 1 month ago
Hi my name is Yolanda Joyner. My mom passed away in January of 2011 leaving me with her house and bills. I am unemployed and struggling to pay the mortgage and other bills and taking care of my artististic daughter. I am behind with my mortgage payments. I am desperate need of help. i do not want to loose my deceased parents house that they worked hard to get for me and my siblings. Please help me my home # is 410-327-8458. my email is yolandajoyner2830@hotmail.com
3 months ago
I had read to apply for assistance that you had to email iamhome@dipdive.com. I was just wondering how long it would take to at least get an acknowledgement of receipt of the email by someone at the foundation? Thank you for your assistance. God Bless you. Sharon B.
6 months ago
Hello,
I'm writing, because I think that I have exhausted all of my possibilities, and I do not know what else to do. Me and my husband along with our 4 children, have a home in Az, and lived in it for a little over a year. In 2008 both my husband and I were in the military, and he was called to go to Iraq. Money was tough, but things were ok. Shortly after that I was pick up for assignment out of state, and I had to leave the house. When my husband got back he was assigned to be in Texas. Where we then had to begin renting as well as continue pay the mortgage. Needless to say that half of my check was going towards the house, but we were still paying, as soon as I found out that I was going to be laid off, I began to call the bank,to help reduce the payments, because I knew that We would be losing more than half our income. They have been playing their game for over a year. At first we made to much money then we had too many bills, then they needed pay stubs. And since I have lost my job, we have not been able to pay the mortgage, because they do not take partial payments. Please help, We do not want to lose our home.
Respectfully,
Susan Hernandez
10 months ago
I'm 2,735 short to get my house payment reinstated. As of 10:30 am tomorrow I will be HOMELESS.
about 1 year ago
Hi Will-I AM, My daughter had her own business and lost it during the recession. She is now losing her home. My husbands co. was moved to Mexico. We have a home in Florida we were forced to lease to get the payments made. We have never been late on a payment.We would loved to sell our home in Florida so we maybe could help our daughter. She adopted a baby from Guatamala 4 yrs ago when her life was great and it breaks my heart that this has happened to her and her son. We moved back to Indiana where we were from originally.If you could help find someone to purchase our home in Florida then maybe we could help our daughter.
She has been working 3 jobs and lives in North Carolina. Bank of America has been promising her a modification for over a yr now and they won't take payments from her while this is going on. They keep postponing her court appearance dates. This has kept us hopeful. I would love to contribute to your foundation all that we can afford.
Are there any other avenues that my daughter could take to help her in this situation. She struggles every month to make her health insurance premiums she is on medication which is not insured. I am just needing to be pointed in the right direction to help my daughter.
Any informatio would be helpful to my daughter. She has a college degree and is a graphic designer and is vert tallented. A good job would be wonderful. She says everyone wants younger people so they don't have to pay so much.
Our world had change so much and I keep hoping thins will turn around, it is very difficult we fell like our hands are tied.
Thank you for letting me vent. I am sending a check today I think it is wonderful what your foundation is doing to help people. We need more people llike you in the world.
I saw you on the Ophra show last yr and I could't believe how generous you were and how much you cared for other people.
Stay the wat you are.
Thank you for listening,
Marsha Poore
about 1 year ago
I.AM
Please help me keep my house. Its is going sherrief sale 6 april 2011. I don't know what I am going to do. I have served our country and fought in the desert. and now this is happening. I am unemployed and have been putting in for jobs for over a year.I believe its because of my age. PLEASE HELP ME>
NM
about 1 year ago
dear will.i.am
your such an amazing man to be doing this for familys. i really look up to you.
i went to your concert in 2009, the melbourne show. u have always been my idle, but now i have found out that you are doing such an amazing things for familys in need i apreciate and look up to you truck loads more.
you truly an amazing man.
good luck with ur foundation.
thankyou for doing this all.
kacee.
about 1 year ago
Mr. Will.I.Am and the I.AM. Home Fund,
I want to thank you in advance for being a help. I also want to help by asking for help in fixing my second home so that I may allow a family to rent or purchase our house. It would be such a help for me to have the house in good condition to receive a supplement to our barely-making-it income. PLEASE HELP ME OR A CONTACT FOR THE HELP I NEED!!!
about 1 year ago
Hi Will
I thought I would give this a try and in hopes that you would be able to help me and my 3 children. I am a single mother of 3 with a FT job. I made a decision to pull all of my life savings to purchase a dream home for my 3 children and I. It was the happiest day of my life that I was able to make this happen on my own with 3 small kids. I'm a little scared with such a bold move and paycheck to paycheck but I think I am able to manage with faith. However, after being in my new home after 2 months, the home insurance decided to cancel my policy due to the condition of my roof. I was devastated and scared because I have no money left to have the roof replaced for this new home that I purchased for my kids and I. I have til the end of this month to get a new policy temp and get a new roof that will cost me a fortune. I don't know where else I can go for help. I will never be able to afford to get a new roof after spending my life savings on this house. I'm barely furnished and there's just no way. Please help my children and I get a new roof.
about 1 year ago
Dear Will,
My family could really use your help. We have never been able to afford a home of our own, so instead are renters. My husband lost his job a month ago and cannot find any positions that meet his skills. We have a 7-yr-old son and pets and have no family close by to help. We are behind $800 in rent and will be evicted soon if we fall any further behind.
Please help
Kris
WI
about 1 year ago
Dear Will,
I am a 37 year old mother of two boys. during the last five years my family has been through the fire, and we are now trying to come back. I would say our slide down started when my daughter passed away in 2005. after that we lost our home, I lost my job and my children and I had nowhere to go. I sent my youngest son to Ypsilanti to live with his grandmother and be placed in an all boys private school. My oldest son, I took over to my moms and he stayed there for three years. Me, I was going from friend to friend while I looked for a job and housing. I am currently a full time student, and thanks be to God I have found a home for my boys to come home to. I still live in an anxious state because I can not find a job so that I can keep this roof over my children's heads. I am currently recieving four hundred dollars from the state every moth, but my rent is$385.00 a month. My boys are very good children, and they have already gotten used to the idea that mom can't afford Christmas gifts, but I don't want to lose their home also. I am pleading that you can find it in your heart to help find a solution to my family's problem. my alternate e-mail address is awade1@mcc.edu. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
about 1 year ago
PLEASE DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS FOUNDATIONS GRANTS? I A MOTHER OF FOUR AND AM IN ACTIVE FORECLOSURE AND HAVE A SALE DATE OF JAN. 10, 2011. CANT FIND A WAY TO APPLY..PLEASE HELP!
over 1 year ago
Dear Will.I.Am,
I saw the Oprah show. I just wanted to tell you it's super nice what you're doing.
I was laid off from work and have struggled to find a job for the past 5.5 months. 2.5 years ago I depleted my entire retirement account to prevent myself from being homeless. I just started a temp job for a couple months. If I did not receive that I would have been homeless in a few months. It's been super tough. In addition to families, it would be helpful if you help individuals too. Sometimes individuals and families are struggling to where its only a couple paychecks and they are on the streets, wandering homeless. The system is way too long to get any approvals for anything. I noticed you paid off the one families debts and home. Sometimes, it's not the paid in full that helps, but just 4-6 months of payments that would help catch someone up, and praying that the economy changes so that people like myself and other families will be able to get a job and take care of themselves. Please consider this. Many thanks, jackie.
over 1 year ago
Dear Will.I.am
I saw you on Oprah and learned about your foundation - what you did and are still doing with your money is truly amazing - you will be blessed more than you can ever imagine.
over 1 year ago
Dear Mr. Will.i.am,
I am a 57 year old single mother of one. I have a twenty-year-old son who is a potentially good person who has made some poor choices.
I did what I thought was my best in rearing him with the help of two people (Pa-pa and Nanny); I'm sure they meant well, but they spoiled him too much, I think. I tried to instill good values in him and teach him right from wrong. As you may know, no one teaches you to be a parent; there is no blueprint for good parenting. I used what I learned from my parents and things I learned on my own. My son did not work up to his capabilities in school; however, he graduated from high school in Louisiana in 2008. It is not my intention to play the blame game, but I feel that in some aspects the school let us down.
My son got involved with the "wrong crowd" which led to his nearly being killed and arrest for simple robbery in what was called a drug deal gone bad. Another man was killed during this ordeal. This all took place in my apartment while I was at work. At first, the detective told me that my son was not in any trouble; he didn't know what the other two men had planned. I TRULY believe that GOD spared my son's life. He was taken in for questioning and somehow he ended up getting arrested because they said he tried to steal from the drug dealer. He served 10 months in jail. During this time, my entire life changed forever. I had to move out of that apartment. Thank GOD I could still work; needless to say I stuck by my son. He was released in October of 2009 and has been trying find a job every since, but to no avail. He is on probation and has to pay restitution monthly. He has no income, so I pay it for him. During the time he was incarcerated, I exhausted every penny that I had saved.
Now, I have had to take a cut in pay from my teaching job because I have not yet passed the Praxis (Teacher's Exam). I use to be able to manage financially, although there were some rough times, my head was above water. My son decided to go to college since he could not find a job, so again I am trying to stand by him and support him however I can. Since I had to go back to my job as a teacher's assistant, my rent and bills exceed my meager income ($1238.00). My rent alone is $860.00 and my utilities and other bills tremendously exceed what I have after paying rent. Not to mention paying my son's restitution, food bill, gas for the car, and now my son's college expenses. I feel as though I am drowning and it seems my only out is to file bankruptcy. I would rather take care of my obligations, but I don't know what else to do. If there is some type of job or work I can do to earn extra money, I am willing to work. I pray everyday and I know prayers still work. I wholeheartedly admire you and God Bless you, Mr. Will.i.am for all that you do and for what you did to help the two families on Oprah. I don't have much and I'm not looking to get rich. I just want to become self-sufficient and spend the rest of my life bending down to help someone else up. I want to reach deep, I want to reach out and then my living will not be in vain.
My heart-felt thanks to you for taking the time to read my letter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely, Joyce
over 1 year ago
Dear Will,
I saw you on Oprah. I cried with the miracle you created for those two families. You really touched humanity that day and all those who witnessed the miracle, especially those who are like myself in a critical situation. Those who are in need of such miracles. Each story of us in such dire straits are out there, each wanting to be heard and acknowledged, to express the longing for change in their circumstances. My prayers are for us all, those of us who are disabled and on the verge of such loss, that is overwhelming. I would welcome the chance and opprotunity to help others and do, when possible. Seeing your love for humanity has given me hope for us all. We all can make a difference in this world in our own special ways. I appreciate the difference you made in my life Will. Your soul shined on Oprah. I have never missed a day of Oprah's show since 1986. Oprah has been the world's best friend. Your being on Oprah's show really moved me. I just wanted to hug and kiss you for your heart's miracle for those people. I want to thank you personally for coming full circle and giving those families such relief, hope and love. If there is anything I can do to help you and your cause, I offer my time and love. I am limited to working on and with a computer for as long as I can keep a float here and deal with my disability. You are the full measure of a great person, I would work for you and your cause.
Sincerely, Winifred
over 1 year ago
i am a single mother struggling with my mortgage and putting myself through school and right now my electricity is disconnected and i have no phone service.how i receive help from your foundation.
over 1 year ago
I am not even sure you are reading this Will I Am, But if you are or if this mewssage gets to you then I wish to say to you that the Lord says in the bible if you help one person the Lord will bless you back 10 fold. I pray the Lord is doing this for you. I just rented out my home and rented a place closer to my husbands job an hour away from our home. As I was moving in I notice my neighbor behind me in a motorized wheelchair pushing a push mower. Not a self propelled mower, one you push. I went over and weed wacked his yard for him. He then asked me if I could fix his screen door. When I went into his home My heart fell. He has all his dishes and glasses on a counter that is falling apart because he cant reach high. His trailer is old and is in need of repair or replaced. Nothing in the trailer is for a handicap person. But God bless him he gets by. If you can help him in any way It would be a great Godly thing.. May God contunie to bless you and what you are doing..
over 1 year ago
Dear Will .I.am
I just want to start by saying you are a wonderful person. I have a friend that is a foster mother of 5 wonderful children and she has alot of bills. And sometimes times are rough for her but she is a firm beliver in God but you have to be. I was just seeing if you could help our dear sister when she need it..... thanks Stephanie
over 1 year ago
I seen you on the oprah show and i appreciate what your doing. I met my best friend 9 yrs ago and in 2005 her dad got really sick and the drs didnt know what was wrong with him or anything. They did numerous operations that left him blind and still very sick. In 2006 he had passed away My best friends mom who i also call ma couldnt afford the mortage any longer so she sold the house to her nieces boyfriend at the time. They couldnt afford the mortage either a while after they got the house so they up and left and the only wish i have is that one day my ma and my best friend can be back in the house that their father and husband got for them and the grandchildren. That house has a lot of memories in it. The grand kids were brought home from the hospital to that house everything that happened was at that house. Ever since 2006 when "Dad" passed away there family has been split up. They are all having a rough time with everything so please help them. Like i said the only wish i have is for them to be back in that house and be happy.
p.s.
my ma thinks your really cute to by the way
over 1 year ago
Will.I.am I was watching the Oprah Show and saw how you have the families, it was beautiful. My sister and I both have houses and found ourselves in a bad way, now we both work part-time and both attend college. We both have mortgages on our house and is need of help, so we want lose our houses.We moved here from mississippi and have been on our own trying to keep our houses, because basically that's all we have. we want to continue in college so we can make a better life for ourselves. She's going for her Master's and I'm going for my Associates and would like to continue. If you would help us, this would be great. Thank You, and keep up the good work. Mary.
over 1 year ago
I just saw an episode of the Oprah Show on which you paid off the mortgages for two families in need. You are indeed an angel. You did a wonderful thing for you grandmother/aunt and mother, and now your circle expands. You are blessed to be ABLE to do these things, and you deserve every blessing for taking the initiative and DOING them. You are an inspiration and an example to Pay it Forward.
over 1 year ago
Aloha Will.i.am,
I live here in Hawaii and was just blown away by your willingness to help those in need. God has truly blessed you with a heart of love for your fellowman.
About a year ago my sister lsot her job that she had for over 20 years. With that we lost 50% of our household income. Right now we are struggling to make ends meet. Our house is soon to be in forclosure. We have applied for a home modification at that has been a terrible process for us as we have lsot thousands of dollars to phony organizations that took our money and ran.
How can we apply for help with your i.am.home project? Please send more info at my e-mail address.
In closing I wish you all the best in your efforts to make the lives of other better.
Praying for you in Kona,
Katherine
over 1 year ago
Will the bible says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle then it is for a rich man to enter into heaven.Jesus has helped in my life through sickness an drugs and so much sorrow and he has given me so many bleesings.I feal the struggle of paying bills every day but i still give to god what i can every week becouse although i have done alot of wrong in my life i hope the good i do outways it.What you did today on oprea and the meek and humble way you did it was heart touching.I believe god works his miracles through others and you may not have wings yet but truely you are a angel and will fly rite through that needle.God gave you a gift sir and blessed you and he is proud that you are blessing others he choose you well.
over 1 year ago
I saw Oprah and I just want to thank you for having such a big heart to help those two families with their mortgage! With people like you, the world is a better place. It give me hope for my own situation. Thanks so much for being who you are! I know your mom is ver proud of you.
over 1 year ago
Hello Will.i.am I just saw you on the Oprah show and how you helped those struggling families. I first wanted to say thank God for helping them, you will truley be blessed and your reward is laid up for you in heaven. I to almost lost my home do to foreclosure, but I had to file for bankruptcy instead just to keep a roof over our heads. My husband lost his job in November of 2010 and he also had back surgery. It's hard for him to walk let alone try to work. We are now seeking to apply for his disability. I've been on my job for 21 years and times are still hard for us and we can't make ends meet. We owe about 126,000 on our home what ever the Lord lays on your heart to do would be highly appreaciated...If nothing keep my family and I in your prayers. We love you and keep up the good work...The Granberrys!
over 1 year ago
What a wonderful thing for you to unselfishly do in your prosperity. There needs to be more angels like you. I have lived with the basics all my life and always dreamed of being out of debt. I had a heart attack a few months ago and have been unable to work because of health problems for many years. It has been a terrible struggle. After my divorce I 'bought' my home from my ex and have mega bills trying to keep it. I so dream of being debt free before I am too old to enjoy it. I am now 64 and don't see an end in sight. Praise God for people like you.
over 1 year ago
Dear Will i,am
i have been looking for a little help everywhere but in the right place i guess. i have a mobilehome and it is falling apart right in front of me and i don't have the money to fix it. my roof wont last much longer all the floors are bad it leaks trough the roof the windows and the front door is so bad it wont lock, i don't have air or heat, i got a call from a church about 4 years ago and they ask what kind of central air i have so i told them and of course i was very happy that finally is trying to help me, and guess what i never heared from this church ever agine, what a dissapointment i cryed myself to sleep that night.i would not be so bad if i would live alone but i am taking care of my 81 year old mom and my two little nephews, they have more need's then me especially my mom,she is my backbone and i don't want to let her down,she depends on me just like i depend on her, i love my mom with all my heart and i want her to have a nice place to live a place she can call home,she get sick a lot in the winter time because all i have to heat with is a kerosene heater and i can't buy the kerosene like i need to because it is very expensive. i just want a better life for my mom because she really deserves it. i sometimes don't even have enough money to get what she need's because the bankruptcy payment is so high, look i am not looking for a handout but could you please find someone who can help me? i will be happy to show you my home so you can see for yourself.
sincerly Regina
over 1 year ago
Will that is very nice of you to do what you did. I lost my house, but I had written to Ms. Whinfrey three times asking her help to save my house and she didn't respond. I lost my job and my house, now I am living from day to day. I'm taking care of my mother and my dead brother's children, and I am behind on my rent. Will I prayed for ANGELS like you and hope other will follow. May God Bless you
over 1 year ago
Hi my name is shnylandpierre I'am a seventh grader in a school that is in florida.This school is called Micnicol middle school it is a wonderfull school it is a huge school though the students may play sometimes but we work realy hard to make our teachers proud.Now here is my part of the story!we moved down to florida about a year ago now we were living with our relatives for 5 months but that was in orlando now we have moved down to hollywood with another relative for three months.!!!!!!!!But my parents even though are working hard paying the bill is harsh.My parents with us chidren are living in a one bedroom apartment=6 people.also my parents mom and relatives are dead because of that earthquake.Our family in haiti are dying,starving because the jobs my parents have cant support us oh please help us ure our only help may God bless you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
over 1 year ago
William God bless you!!!! Even though we are struggling in this economy i told God I wont complain!!! But Will my husband is a Pastor and we really want to see souls saved and baptized but we are at the point where we may have to close our doors due to lack of finicial support it will be a miracle if God will speak to your heart to bless us!!! You were truly a blessing to the couples on Oprah Show!!!1 If God speak to you bless contact me!!! I am praying that God lead you to this email!!!
Be Blessed!!!
over 1 year ago
Will-i-am is such an angel. I am a south African black single mother who is also going through a difficult period as I have also lost my house which was supposed to go on auction on 11 June 2010 but a week before it went on auction an agent came to my house to tell me he can try help me sell the house better than the auction so I could not have to pay anything when I live my house but only to find that he only managed to get a buyer to save it from being auctioned at R450,000 instead of R656,000 that was a balance owed to the bank, and now my children and myself have no home yet I still owe the bank R311,000 to pay as a shortfall.Now I am waiting to move out once the house is registered to the new owner, hoping I will be able to find a reasonable accommodation to rent with my children since I only survive by making and selling cleaning detergents which I am afraid that it will not be enough to pay for rent, at the moment the money I make is enough to pay for the raw material , rent and other business expenses. I just want to know if there is anyone in South Africa who can assist me maybe even if its someone who has a property in KZN- Durban - Montclair suburb that I can rent for R2,500 per month.
over 1 year ago
Hi Will.i.am
I watched the Oprah show in South Africa last night and was totally blown away,I thought to myself that poverty can be reduced drastically with more people like you in this world. I also thought that my mortgage is a fraction compared to those families morgages and wished there was something like this in South Africa. I can't survive on my salary and each month by the 3rd I don't have a cent left in my account.I do believe there are people worse off than myself but I am greatful that I do have a job.
I wrote a book on domestic abuse (my biography) but cannot get it published in South Africa, if i can help just one person with my book, i will be the happiest person on this earth, so if you know of someone who may be interested please let me know.
Thank you for your kind heart & God bless you.
Kind regards
Marcelle
PS - Love your music
over 1 year ago
JUST SEEN UR OPRAH PROGRAMME,IN JOBURG,SA. WOW IT IS GOOD TO SEE HEARTWORK!!
I AM A 49 YR OLD TEACHER AND IN FEBRUARY WENT TO THE FUNERAL OF A CHILD I TAUGHT 8YRS AGO,A TALENTED CHILD WITH A WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR AND LIGHTNING FAST WIT,A GIFTED CRICKETER TOO,SICK ON THURS, DEAD AT THE AGE OF 19 ON SUNDAY.
AT THE FUNERAL THEY PLAYED SNIPPETS OF YOUR BLACKEYED PEAS CD 'THE END'.IT WAS SO MOVING AND THE FIRST TIME I HAD HEARD UR MUSIC,[EVEN THOUGH I HAD HEARD THE KIDS ADMIRING IT FOR YEARS]THIS I BOUGHT,AND IS A WONDERFUL REMINDER OF MY STUDENT AND I KNOW HE WOULD SUPPORT THIS
EFFORT AND CERTAINLY WILL ORGANISE THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN TO GUIDE UR DECISIONS.BLESSINGS JEN
over 1 year ago
All I can say is I wish we had someone helping us out here in Great britain i could really do with an angel right now, its a wonderful idea. bless you
over 1 year ago
Dear Will.i.am,
I live in portugal and just watch´d the Ophra SHOW WHERE YOU SAVED THE LIVES of 2 FAMILIES that were going to loose there homes. Thank You for helping others, there is definitely a place for you in heaven for the Angels say never stop helping.
You are a beautiful person and Ophra too.
So Thank You xx
HUGS FROM POLLY
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