American Bible Society has announced their upcoming partnership with leading faith-based Hispanic organization Esperanza USA, host of the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast. The strategic alliance will focus on implementing initiatives to address the growing trend of HIV/AIDS and domestic violence incidents among the Hispanic community.
Though American Bible Society has worked with Esperanza USA in the past, providing resources such as Biblical portions, this is the first time that the two organizations have partnered together for specific causes. The announcement of their partnership came during the recent National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast held in Washington D.C., where topics such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic were discussed.
“I am excited about collaborating with Esperanza USA, because together we can bring a holistic ministry to the Latino community that resides in our country,” expressed Rev. Emilio A. Reyes, Vice President, Hispanic/Latino Ministries of American Bible Society. “Through our partnership we will reach many that have yet to experience the life-changing message of the Bible.”
American Bible Society will provide three bilingual publications for distribution by Esperanza USA. Two of the publications, The Lord Hears Your Cries: Hope and Strength from the Scriptures in the Midst of Domestic Violence and Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God, will be given free of charge to clergy members and others in support of the education of the church on the issues of domestic violence and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, American Bible Society is currently designing a Bible specifically for Esperanza USA’s Mujeres de Esperanza Ministry, which provides training and support for Hispanic women in leadership roles in the church and their communities. The Mujeres de Esperanza Bible is expected to be released in 2007.
“These valuable resources will empower our Hispanic churches with tools that address the reality of HIV/AIDS and domestic violence,” said the Rev. Luis Cortes, Jr., President of Esperanza USA. “Thanks to our partnership with American Bible Society, Esperanza USA can continue with our commitment to provide timely resources to our churches and communities.”
Though the issues of domestic violence and HIV/AIDS have been subjects of major importance among Hispanic leaders for many years, the lack of bilingual resources on the subjects have increased the severity of the problems. According to a recent study conducted by the Texas Council on Family Violence, the main obstacle facing many Hispanic victims of domestic violence is the lack of awareness of resources that exist to help them. The language and cultural differences also plays a role in the increasing number of HIV/AIDS cases among Hispanics. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation reported that though Hispanics make up 13 percent of the population, they represent 19 percent of reported AIDS cases in the United States. American Bible Society and Esperanza USA hope that by providing bilingual resources, they will be able to make a difference in the Hispanic communities in regards to domestic violence and HIV/AIDS, as well as other important issues that Hispanics face.
Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York City, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience its life-changing message. For more information on the American Bible Society please visit www.americanbible.org.
Esperanza USA is the largest Hispanic faith-based organization in the country committed to strengthening the Hispanic community. Through a network of national church and community organizations, Esperanza USA provides timely information and relevant resources to reinforce the growing national Hispanic community. More information on Esperanza USA and its national programs and resources can be found at www.esperanza.us.
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