Black Ministers Address AIDS in New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ministers from New Jersey's African American churches will meet on March 8, 2011 at the Robert Treat Hotel in Newark to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in their ministries and communities.  The Rev. Reginald T. Jackson (St. Matthews AME Church) will give the keynote address and a panel of ministerial leaders will be lead by Rev. Dr. Warren Dennis (New Brunswick Theological Seminary). Cory Booker, Mayor of the City of Newark, is also slated to speak.  The Pastors will discuss the fight against AIDS in cooperation with government agencies and non-profit organizations to respond to the disproportionate toll the epidemic is taking in Black communities in New Jersey. Religious leaders interested in attending should contact Deloris Dockrey, Director of Community Organizing, 908-656-4626 or [email protected].

In New Jersey, Blacks comprise 54% of all people living with HIV in the state.  Nationally, Blacks comprise 57% of all deaths from AIDS due to late diagnosis and inadequate medical care, yet Blacks represent only 13% of the total population.  New Jersey has the 5th highest number of people living with HIV in the country and ranks first in the percentage of women with AIDS.  Newark has the second highest infection rate among cities in the U.S.  One in 16 Black men and 1 in 30 Black women will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetimes.

This Pastor's Breakfast is sponsored by Hyacinth AIDS Foundation's One Conversation Project, which helps open the doors of the Black Faith Community to people living with HIV/AIDS by offering public education and AIDS prevention and community action programming to churches throughout Newark and the State.  The event is also being held in observance of the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS.

Research demonstrates that minorities tend to access care late in the illness process and are more likely to become connected to care in familiar locations like the Church rather than traditional medical settings.  The role of the Church as a trusted safe haven, resource and caregiver has long been documented. "Providing love and support to those infected with HIV/AIDS is not an option that the gospel gives," said Rev. Reginald Jackson, Pastor of St. Matthews AME Church in Orange, NJ.

Hyacinth AIDS Foundation is New Jersey's first and largest AIDS service organization with six offices located throughout the State, serving over 15,000 people annually with direct care, treatment education and prevention.  Hyacinth is the only organization in New Jersey with a dedicated public policy and community organizing staff dedicated to protect the rights and benefits of people living with HIV/AIDS in New Jersey.

The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is a call to prayer for the eradication of HIV/AIDS through prayer, education, advocacy and service.  It is the coming together of all people of faith to unite with purpose, compassion and hope to do the following:  Educate every American about AIDS facts; Encourage and support HIV Testing; Advocate for the availability of compassionate care and treatment for all those living with the disease in every community in America and; and, Love, unconditionally, every person living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.

The One Conversation Project is funded in part by Roche and The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey.

CONTACT:  Deloris Dockrey, +1-908-656-4626, [email protected]

SOURCE Hyacinth AIDS Foundation