You are the Answer
HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death for Latino adults, ages 25 to 44. Although males account for the largest proportion—81 percent—of AIDS cases reported among Hispanic people, the number of female cases is rising at an alarming rate.
As this insidious disease reaches near epidemic proportions, Esperanza has made significant strides in mobilizing the clergy across the country to take the lead in fighting AIDS through awareness, education and compassion in their churches and in their communities. In doing so, the clergy are helping to break down the social and political barriers that challenge Hispanic people.
Pacto de Esperanza (Pledge of Hope) formalized Esperanza’s crusade in 2003 when the Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr. and a group of ministers and other Christian leaders became the first to confirm their commitment to educate themselves on this topic and to take collective action against this catastrophic disease. Others subsequently joined the campaign to provide communities of support for those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
You, too, can make the pledge of hope and sign the Pacto de Esperanza. Signing it signifies that you will not only educate yourself about HIV/AIDS, but you will also encourage others to do the same. To learn more about the pledge and to sign the Pacto de Esperanza (Pledge of Hope), please CLICK HERE.
The Tú eres la respuesta (You are the Answer) campaign was created to provide congregations with resources to understand the devastating effects of HIV/AIDS on the Hispanic community. This service offers avenues for outreach. Esperanza has developed educational materials to heighten awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and suggest culturally appropriate courses of action. These resources include a CD of inspirational music, books, and the short film No te rindas (“Don’t Give Up”), which contains public service announcements (PSA) by Marcos Witt, José Luis Rodríguez “El Puma”, and Yuri. No te rindas trailer
This campaign earned the Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr. a Red Ribbon Leadership Award for Communications, awarded by the National HIV/AIDS Partnership on December 2006. Also, the short film No te Rindas (“Don’t Give Up”) won Best DVD – Short or Full Length Film at the 7th Annual ARPA Awards, on October 2007, where the theme song from the campaign’s musical CD received a nomination in the Song of the Year category as well. The ARPA Award is the highest international recognition the National Academy of Christian Music and Arts gives for artistic or technical merit in this genre.
To review and order any of Esperanza’s HIV/AIDS resources, click on the links below.
 1. Musical CD
Hay una respuesta (“There Is A Way”) uses music to reinforce the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. A poignant lyric that addresses HIV/AIDS from a faith-based perspective is combined with an affecting melody to provide listeners with a truly emotional experience.
 2. HIV/AIDS Awareness Short Film
No te rindas (“Don’t Give Up”) is a powerful film that dramatizes how one Christian family is affected by HIV/AIDS and how their church responds. Produced in Spanish with English subtitles.
 3. Short Film’s Educational Study Guide
Todos estamos en la lucha (“We’re All in the Fight”). This study guide for the short film No te Rindas will facilitate the discussion about HIV/AIDS in churches. It includes factual information and a biblical context on how to respond to HIV/AIDS. Available in English and Spanish.
 4. HIV/AIDS Education Book
There is an Answer: How to Prevent and Understand HIV/AIDS. Written by the Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr., this book addresses how the faith-based community can respond with compassionate heart to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Available in English and Spanish.
 5. HIV/AIDS Awareness Book
Covenant of Hope / Pacto de Esperanza A Woman's Healing Journey in the AIDS Epidemic. Bilingual book (English and Spanish).
In our ongoing commitment to provide faith-sensitive resources for congregations, we have also created materials to help the clergy engage their congregations in the work of prevention, support and referral services to people affected by HIV/AIDS. These materials include the following:
1. HIV/AIDS Congregational Prayers
2. HIV/AIDS Sermon Outlines
3. The 2007 HIV/AIDS Study Answering the Call: How Latino Churches Can Respond to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic, conducted by the University of Notre Dame
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