VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 5/24/10)—Since launching “Break the Chains: Slavery in the 21st Century” in July, 2007, American Baptist women have raised over $470,000, far exceeding the initial fundraising goal of $250,000.
Through workshops, preaching, community events, a “virtual mission encounter” (online mission experience), online discussions, and a variety of other methods, AB Women’s Ministries has inspired women across the U.S. and Puerto Rico to support ministries with trafficking victims, survivors, and at-risk women and children. The national mission project “Break the Chains” was originally scheduled to end in July, 2009, but women were so passionate about the project that it continues through 2010 with new awareness-raising activities, events, and fundraising projects planned throughout the remainder of the year.
In 2008 and 2009, six grants were awarded each year: three nationally (U.S. and Puerto Rico), and three internationally. A percentage was also set aside each year to provide funding for “year three grants”; that percentage was combined with new funds received to provide over $110,000 towards grants in 2010 for new and emerging ministries around the issue of human trafficking. Due to the success of the fundraising efforts, AB Women’s Ministries was able to provide grants to four national and four international projects in 2010.
"When AB Women's Ministries first planned its "Break the Chains" mission project and grant program, it was our hope and dream that American Baptists would be inspired and motivated to learn about the issue of human trafficking and hear God's call to respond in a variety of ways, perhaps by even starting a ministry to trafficked survivors or at-risk populations," said Virginia Holmstrom, executive director for American Baptist Women's Ministries. "Indeed, this has happened. Break the Chains grants this year are providing start-up funds for new ministries that have emerged since Break the Chains was launched."
AB Women’s Ministries announces the recipients of these year three grants. Nationally, the projects receiving funding in 2010 are: “All Hands In,” creating a safe house for survivors in Boston, MA; “Bethel Educate & Equip to Prevent Human/Sex Trafficking” project for adolescent girls at Bethel Neighborhood Center in Kansas City, KS; “Metamorphosis” project focused on family resiliency at Corporación Milagros del Amor in San Juan, PR; and the “Readers are Succeeders” project for disadvantaged children through First Baptist Church, Olympia, WA.
Internationally, the projects receiving funding in 2010 are: “Shelter Expansion/Sewing Cooperative” project to provide economic opportunity for at-risk women at Deborah’s House, Tijuana, Mexico; HOPE (“Health, Opportunity, Protection and Education”) project for at-risk street children, Southeast Asia; “Sex Workers” project to provide alternative means of income-generation in the Copperbelt region of Zambia; and the “Temple Prostitutes” project providing economic opportunity, health and educational services for Yanadi tribal peoples in India.
For information about year one and year two grants, as well as further information about year three grants, visit www.abwmbreakthechains.org.
American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.