"The foreclosure crisis touches every corner of Maryland and too many people are suffering in silence," said Tom Perez, secretary of the Maryland Department of Licensing, Labor and Regulation. "The purpose of the event is to help people and hopefully empower people by letting them know there are an array of resources that we can bring to bear to help them."

The Weinberg Center for the Arts on West Patrick Street in downtown Frederick will be the location for a Community Foreclosure Forum, one of several that have been and will be held throughout the state.

Perez said people are often too humiliated or embarrassed to seek help, or simply don't know where to go.

The forum was called by DLLR and the Department of Housing and Community Development, Perez said, part of a mandate included in Gov. Martin O'Malley's emergency legislation aimed at stemming a swath of foreclosures in Maryland. That legislation includes education, Perez said.

"There's no such thing as too much outreach on this issue," he said.

Perez will discuss that legislation at the forum. Commissioners President Jan Gardner and Frederick Mayor Jeff Holtzinger will offer opening remarks.

"This will be a great benefit to Frederick residents needing assistance with a foreclosure that might be looming, or how to best deal with foreclosure that may already be in process," Holtzinger said. "Given the number of foreclosures expected, this is a real service to Frederick residents."

IF YOU GO Community Foreclosure Forum When: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday Where: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick What: A forum to help Frederick and Washington County residents who face or are in the process of foreclosure. Admission is free and open to the public. Who: Mayor Jeff Holtzinger and Frederick County Commissioners President Jan Gardner will give opening remarks. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulations Secretary Tom Perez will discuss the governor's emergency foreclosure legislation. Frederick and Washington Community Action agencies will be on hand to discuss local programs available. SUBPRIME LENDING & FORECLOSURES Homeowners around the nation are struggling to make mortgage payments, and Frederick County is no exception. The map below show the area with the lowest and highest concentration of subprime mortgage loans. Click the map for a larger image. SEARCHABLE DATABASE Search the list of foreclosures filed in Frederick County Circuit Court from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2008. BIZ BLOG Business editor Cliff Cumber blogs about the project. Click here to check out his blog. THE ECONOMY & ME This new online-only section houses all sorts of stories that come our way on the economy, as well as tips consumers can use to stretch their dollar a little bit further. Click the graphic to go to the section. RELATED STORIES Foreclosure: A far-reaching problem Published on May 04, 2008 Ellen Scrivens reminisces about the house that she lost due to foreclosure last August that is located off Burning Bush Drive.more » Getting hit from all sides Published on May 04, 2008 In 2006, 455 foreclosures were filed in Frederick County Circuit Court. In 2007, that number more than doubled to 1,025. more » Officials seek to help foreclosure victims Published on May 04, 2008 People facing foreclosure, or who know someone who is, will have the opportunity Monday night to hear from someone who can help. more » Comptroller: state efforts to stem Published on May 04, 2008 The effect of the foreclosure crisis will hit hardest at local budgets, according to the state's chief tax official. more » Borrowers' euphoria clouded subprime risks Published on May 04, 2008 People were so happy to be in a home that the risks of the subprime loans they signed up for went right over their heads. more » Budgeting measures may protect county from foreclosure trouble Published on May 04, 2008 With conservative budgeting, Frederick County is prepared financially for effect from the local economy caused by the foreclosure crisis. more » Signs of trouble Auctioneers saw dangers of subprime loans coming Published on May 04, 2008 Auctioneers saw it coming. They knew the subprime loan frenzy would cause many homeowners to mortgage their futures. more »