L.A. Environmental Leaders Partner With AngelFest

May 6, 2016

LOS ANGELES, May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Make Good Group, organizers and producers of AngelFest the three-day music, arts, culture and food festival at Woodley Park in the San Fernando Valley’s Sepulveda Basin, today announced that three of Los Angeles’ most important and trusted environmental groups have joined the festival as partners. TreePeople, Los Angeles Waterkeeper (LAW) and Mujeres de la Tierra share long histories protecting the environment in the greater Los Angeles area.

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Each of the partners brings its own unique but overlapping perspective to its support for AngelFest rooted in their respective missions of reclaiming landscapes, protecting water and defending our communities:

“LA’s parks are obviously hurting and they need our help. That’s why TreePeople has engaged millions of people to plant and care for our trees, harvest rainwater and renew depleted landscapes as a key part of our work to make LA a climate-safe city,” says TreePeople founder and president Andy Lipkis. “This festival will help ignite and unite even more Angelenos to grow a greener, shadier, healthier, and more water-secure city.”
“AngelFest is exactly the diverse cultural celebration that our families need right now to help encourage their efforts for long-term solutions to the environmental distress in so many of our neighborhoods,” said Irma Muñoz, founder and president of Mujeres de la Tierra and chairperson of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. “Music and art have the power to engage our communities in non-traditional ways inspiring us to create a better environment for our children and protecting the future of Mother Earth.”
“Protecting our waters and ensuring our water quality is essential for the health and well-being of our communities and our residents,” said LAW Executive Director Bruce Reznik, “and safeguarding LA’s water requires the kind of dedication, investment and focused support we see in AngelFest.”

“These groups, their leaders and their members have trusted legacies safeguarding nature with tree cover, giving voice to communities facing environmental risks and advocating for clean water,” said Matt Walden, co-founder of Make Good. “Their efforts on behalf of all Angelenos are a source of enormous civic pride and offer shining examples of what makes LA a great city today and how we can help secure a healthier environmental future for our children.”

Tim Sexton of Make Good said, “Our partnership with TreePeople, Mujeres de la Tierra, and LA Waterkeeper demonstrates the festival’s shared dedication with these organizations to preserving our parks, protecting our water, and creating a healthier environment and a more livable city going forward.”

A 302-page draft environment assessment (EA) document, prepared by the highly respected national environmental science and planning firm ESA Associates, details the steps the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, along with Make Good will take to protect Woodley Park, the Sepulveda Basin and the surrounding community. The EA remains available for public comment until May 27. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting regarding the EA on May 10 from 6 to 8 pm in the Balboa Sports Center located at 17015 Burbank Blvd. in Encino.

About AngelFest™
AngelFest™ is a three-day music, arts, and culture festival in the Sepulveda Basin’s Woodley Park dedicated to celebrating Los Angeles. The annual world-class festival, created and produced by the LA-based Make Good Group, is designed to entertain a cross-generational audience with the best and the most cutting edge acts in contemporary music. The festival is underpinned by its twin missions: [1] to raise much needed money for LA’s cash-strapped parks and, [2] to create support for organizations protecting LA’s environment and our water. The festival will be infused with the many diverse cultures that make up southern California and will also highlight the extraordinary and unique contributions that the City of Angels makes in today’s world.

About Make Good Group
The Make Good Group is a social impact company that repositions brands into a better version of themselves. Through innovative programs and global messaging platforms, the firm helps its clients make good on their promises, make good in world, and make good stuff. The Los Angeles based collaborative group offers a unique team with wide and deep experience in sustainability, music and entertainment, sports, public policy, healthcare, energy, non-profits, design, marketing, and technology. The Emmy Award-winning group has been instrumental in groundbreaking work including successfully “greening” pro sports teams, major public utilities, large healthcare systems, managing the implementation of recycling in New York City, and producing historic environmental and poverty pop culture events such as Live 8, the single largest simultaneous entertainment event in history.

About TreePeople
As the Los Angeles region faces historic drought and a hotter, drier future, TreePeople is uniting the power of trees, people, and nature-based solutions to grow a more climate-resilient city. The organization inspires, engages and supports Angelenos to take personal responsibility for the urban environment, facilitates collaboration among government agencies, and promotes leadership by grassroots volunteers, students and communities. In this way, TreePeople seeks to build a powerful and diverse coalition of people who together are growing a greener, shadier, healthier and more water secure Los Angeles for present and future generations.

About Los Angeles Waterkeeper
Founded in 1993, Los Angeles Waterkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore Santa Monica Bay, San Pedro Bay and adjacent waters through enforcement, fieldwork, and community action. They work to achieve this goal through litigation and regulatory programs that ensure water quality protections in waterways throughout Los Angeles.

About Mujeres de la Tierra
Mujeres de la Tierra is an avant-garde environmental non-profit focused on healing la madre tierra and re-defining the traditional “green” dialogue in Los Angeles, California. Our mission is to support women and their families interested in becoming active participants and decision makers in environmental and social issues impacting their neighborhoods located in Los Angeles County. Mujeres believes in the power of one and that community action starts with individual participation. We firmly believe that families, residents and local stakeholders should take ownership and leadership of their local issues. Our work strengthens neighborhoods…..one familia at a time.

People en Español names the 50 Most Beautiful Hispanic Celebrities of 2016

May 6, 2016

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People en Espanol names the 50 Most Beautiful Hispanic Celebrities of 2016

NEW YORK, May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — To celebrate People en Español’s 20^th anniversary, its annual “50 Most Beautiful” issue features four covers with 20 of the hottest celebrities in Hispanic entertainment. This year’s Bellos shoots are inspired by the seven deadly sins: pride, wrath, gluttony, lust, envy, sloth and greed and include popular names in music, TV, and film including: Star Wars: The Force Awakens actor Oscar Isaac, singers Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato, Oscar winner and The Revenant director Alejandro González Iñárritu, and multitalented star Jennifer Lopez, among others.

One of Bellos first timers is Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutiérrez who in addition to placing 1^strunner up in the Miss Universe pageant will now play Vin Diesel’s love interest in the upcoming film xXx3: The Return of Xander Cage. Joining the cast alongside her is singer Nicky Jam who shares intimate details about some of the dark moments in his past with the magazine. “I used to fight with everyone in school…I was only 15-16 years old,” he confides.

Returning to the list this year are Scream Queens and Rock of Ages actor Diego Boneta, Jane the Virgin protagonist Gina Rodríguez, and actress/producer Salma Hayek. Also returning to the list is singer and actress Becky G. During her shoot and interview for the issue, the young star talks about her work in the new Power Rangers film. “One of the major challenges was getting in shape and feeling like I was 100 percent ready,” she says of her role as Trini, the yellow ranger.

Ever the busy actress, Zoë Saldaña shares her thoughts on her upcoming roles in major motion pictures such as Star Trek Beyond, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Avatar 2,3, and 4. “I like to collaborate with talented people. People who challenge me, who teach me,” says Saldaña to the magazine at her cover shoot.

To see the complete list of celebrities featured on this year’s “50 Most Beautiful” issue, pick up a copy of the magazine today.

Be sure to watch People En Español VIP with LIVE exclusive celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes access from the “50 Most Beautiful” 2016 Gala on www.PeopleEnEspanol.com on Tuesday, May 17th at 8:30 p.m. Catch the magazine’s cover stars and other beautiful celebrities live as they arrive on the red carpet.

Readers are invited to join the #50MasBellos conversation through the social media content hub at http://www.peopleenespanol.com/bellossocial.

About People en Español:

PEOPLE en Español was launched in 1996 as a special issue, and today has become the top-selling Hispanic magazine in the United States. Published 11 times a year, PEOPLE en Español reaches an audience of 6.9 million every month with its editorial mix of Hispanic and popular entertainment, fashion and beauty trends and compelling human-interest stories. PEOPLE en Español delivers original editorial content that captures the values, contributions and impact of today’s Hispanics in the U.S. The brand’s social media footprint includes 1,200,000 followers on Twitter and over 3,500,000 fans on Facebook. For daily news, photos, exclusive behind-the-scenes video and celebrity scoops, visit www.PEOPLEEnEspanol.com.

Contact:
Elvis Lizardo
212-522-9658
[email protected]

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160505/364482

Travelers To Puerto Rico Urged To Make Informed Decisions About Summer Travel

May 6, 2016

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Puerto Rico Tourism Company dispels perceptions about Zika and urges vacationers to make informed decisions about summer travel (Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourism Company)

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As summer approaches and millions of Americans begin to finalize travel plans, The Puerto Rico Tourism Company is urging vacationers to make educated decisions when it comes to choosing their destinations. As word of the Zika virus becomes more mainstream, Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, underscores the importance of making travel choices based on accurate information: “While we celebrate the ease and accessibility of global travel, it requires some common sense precaution, no matter where in the world one goes. Education is the key to relishing new adventures without the risk of fear, real and perceived. Accurate information is fears’ best antidote.” Rivera adds, “On behalf of the people of Puerto Rico, we pledge to continue to inform and protect as we welcome the world to the tropical paradise we call home.”

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160505/364414
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The PRTC urges travelers interested in visiting Puerto Rico to know the difference between the perceptions about the Zika virus and the realities to make fully informed travel decisions. Knowing the real facts can mean the difference between travelers having the vacation of a lifetime and regretting the trip they should have taken.

Perception #1 – Puerto Rico Is The Center of The Zika Virus In The Americas

THE REALITY – The current Zika virus outbreak did not begin in Puerto Rico. In May 2015, The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert that Zika virus transmission was active in Brazil. The first locally transmitted cases of the Zika virus were not detected by the CDC in Puerto Rico until December 2015. Soon after, the CDC began reporting that several other countries in South America, Central America and the Caribbean were also experiencing active local Zika virus transmission.

Perception #2 – Everyone Who Goes To Puerto Rico Will Get Infected With Zika

THE REALITY – Travelers can take simple, common-sense steps to help avoid getting the Zika virus. The easiest way to avoid contracting the virus is to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and wear proper clothing while enjoying the outdoors. The CDC suggests that all travelers stay up-to-date on the latest Zika news before their trip, and take the following preventive actions during their trip:

Purchase and use an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)/para-menthane-diol (PMD), or IR3535.
Follow instructions on repellent label and be sure to apply at proper intervals, as directed.
When wearing sunscreen, be sure to apply sunscreen first, then repellent once sunscreen has dried.
Cover exposed skin with long sleeves and long pants, when possible, especially when traveling through rainforests and around standing water.
Keep all balcony doors and windows closed at night.

Following these simple steps, all travelers can substantially reduce the likelihood of contracting the Zika virus.

Perception #3 – The CDC Has Banned All Travel To Areas With Zika Cases

THE REALITY – The CDC has three travel level warnings, Watch Level 1, Alert Level 2, and Warning Level 3. The CDC recently issued an Alert Level 2 notice to Puerto Rico (and other destinations), suggesting that travelers should “practice enhanced precautions” when traveling to Puerto Rico. In other words, the CDC is encouraging travelers to review its travel guidelines before traveling and follow its preventive precautions when on the island. Currently, visitors continue to enjoy Puerto Rico’s white sandy beaches, beautiful rainforests, and one-of-a-kind island culture on a daily basis.

Perception #4 – The Zika Virus Can Have Serious Implications For Anyone Who Contracts It

THE REALITY – When it comes to the Zika virus, the general population has little to fear. According to the CDC, 80 percent of people infected with the virus never even show symptoms, and when they do, those symptoms are typically mild, usually lasting only two to seven days. These symptoms include, fever, rash, joint pain, or conjunctivitis (red eyes)—symptoms that can be mitigated with rest, fluids, and everyday medication.

Currently, the CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and those trying to conceive. Their guidelines indicate that women in any trimester should avoid travel to destinations where active local Zika virus transmission is occurring. If pregnant women are required to travel to one of these areas, or live in one of them, the CDC suggests that they speak with their healthcare provider and adhere strictly to its steps to prevent mosquito bites.

For more information on Zika and pregnancy, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/index.html.

Perception #5 – People All Over Puerto Rico Are Infected With Zika

THE REALITY – At this time, less than one half of one percent of the 3.5 million residents in Puerto Rico have contracted the Zika virus. More importantly, the majority of Zika cases are concentrated in areas away from typical tourist destinations. The Puerto Rican government has been working hand-in-hand with the CDC and the private sector to help combat the spread of Zika on the island. This collaboration has been paramount in keeping the number of Zika cases relatively low.

For more information about the Zika virus in Puerto Rico, visit www.SeePuertoRico.com.

About Puerto Rico Tourism Company
The Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC), founded in 1970, is a public corporation responsible for stimulating, promoting and regulating the development of the tourism industry. It markets Puerto Rico as a tourism destination through advertising, public relations and promotional activities; promotes tourism among visitors and local residents; provides visitor orientation and technical assistance to investors; evaluates tourism facilities and establishes standards of quality; and regulates and oversees gaming operations. PRTC has offices and representatives in the U.S. mainland, Canada, Europe and Latin America.

The Hispanic Public Relations Association’s New York Chapter (HPRA-NY) Announces The Julie E. Mendez/HPRA-NY Scholarship

May 6, 2016

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NEW YORK, May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Hispanic Public Relations Association’s New York Chapter has announced today the Julie E. Mendez/HPRA-NY Scholarship Program in honor of the organization’s Treasurer Julie E. Mendez who passed away suddenly on Monday, May 2, 2016.

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“Julie’s dedication to HPRA over the past several years has not only elevated the organization but also furthered the Hispanic communications industry as a whole,” said Melissa Carrion, president, HPRA-NY. “She was a trusted colleague, mentor and dear friend to many and will be dearly missed.”

Mendez lived in New York City and most recently worked at Tractenberg & Co. as Associate Vice President leading the multicultural division for the company. She began her career at Edelman after graduating from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University as magna cum laude with a B.A. in Public Relations and Spanish Language, Literature & Culture. Mendez is survived by her mother, sister, niece and fiancé.

The Julie E. Mendez/HPRA-NY Scholarship will be awarded yearly. In 2016, two tristate area students will be recognized with a $1,000 scholarship and an invitation to attend the national organization’s Bravo Awards this fall. The recipients will be announced prior to the 2016/2017 academic school year and also receive complimentary 2016/2017 student memberships to HPRA-NY.

The application deadline for the Julie E. Mendez/HPRA-NY Scholarship is Friday, June 10, 2016. In order to qualify, student applicants must be/maintain:

A resident of the State of New York, New Jersey or Connecticut
A New York, New Jersey or Connecticut student at a four-year accredited college or university (undergraduate sophomore or junior or accepted into a graduate program)
Of Hispanic heritage
A minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA and 3.0 specific public relations, communications, journalism, advertising or marketing GPA
A public relations, communications, journalism, advertising and/or marketing major

For more information and to apply for the Julie E. Mendez/HPRA-NY Scholarship, please visit: http://www.hpra-usa.org/nyR/scholarships/.

About the Hispanic Public Relations Association:
The Hispanic Public Relations Association’s (HPRA) mission is to help Hispanic professional communicators enter and advance within the public relations and marketing communications fields by: 1) creating an exchange of information and ideas that empower public relations practitioners to be experts in their fields; 2) promoting professional development through educational programs; 3) providing financial and internship assistance to students entering the field; and 4) advocating responsible coverage of issues and images affecting the Hispanic community. Established in 1984, The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) is the largest network of public relations, marketing and advertising professionals from agencies, government, nonprofit and corporate companies in the US. The New York Chapter was established in 2010. HPRA-NY is a non-profit 501c3 organization.

Send Money to Mexico this May with Sharemoney’s Mother’s Day Promotion

May 6, 2016

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ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Sharemoney is the online money transfer service of Omnex Group, a licensed remitter with over 25 years of experience transferring money from the United States to countries around the world, including Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam and the Philippines. Sharemoney’s mission is to help immigrants who live and work in the US transfer money to loved ones back home quickly and securely.

There are over 11 million Mexican immigrants living in the United States. Many of them regularly send money to their family and friends in Mexico to help support them. This Mother’s Day, Sharemoney wants to help them say “thank you” to their moms by adding an extra $20 to their money transfers.

Remittances account for about 2.5% of the GDP and act as a vital driver of consumer spending in Mexico. With over 42% of the population living below the national poverty line, many families rely on money transfers from abroad to put food on the table.

Mother’s Day is an emotional time for many people living abroad whose parents remain back home. Missing those who raised you, taught you, and gave you everything is tough during any holiday, but especially Mother’s Day. Everyone wants to do something special for their moms, and living so far away can make it complicated. Sending a package, a bouquet of flowers, or a simple money transfer are some of the great ways Mexican Americans honor their moms on their special day despite the distance.

Senders transferring money to other countries through Sharemoney.com can also take advantage of this Mother’s Day special. The Mother’s Day promotion is open to anyone sending $100 or more in their first transfer through Sharemoney.com. By entering the code MOM20, a sender will get an additional $20 in their money transfer at no extra cost to them. New customers can take advantage of this offer from 5/5/16 until 5/29/16.

ABOUT SHAREMONEY®
Sharemoney® is the online money transfer service of Omnex Group, Inc., a licensed remitter. With over 25 years in the money transfer industry, Omnex and its Sharemoney service offer flexible money transfer options to over 41,000 payout locations around the world. Servicing major countries including Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador,Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines and Vietnam, Sharemoney allows for families and loved ones to send money in as little as two minutes with the great exchange rates and low fees. To learn more about online money transfers through Sharemoney visit http://www.sharemoney.com.

Latest FAU Poll Finds It’s Harder for Hispanics to Afford Healthcare but More Covered Since Obamacare Enacted

May 6, 2016

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The Business and Economics Polling Initiative (BEPI) at Florida Atlantic University conducts surveys on business, economic, political, and social issues with main focus on Hispanic attitudes and opinions at regional, state and national levels. (PRNewsFoto/Business and Economics Polling..)

BOCA RATON, Fla., May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — An increasing number of Hispanics are finding it harder to afford healthcare and the percentage of those without any health insurance is up slightly over a year ago, but a majority still have a favorable view of the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) and for the first time more women are insured than men, according to a new survey by the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI).

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More than 43 percent of respondents in the April poll said it is harder for them to afford healthcare, up almost 6 percentage points from a similar survey in March 2015. Only 13.7 percent said it was easier, down more than 9 percent from last year. Those saying they had no health insurance increased 5 percent, from 7.8 percent in March 2015 to 12.8 percent last month.

However, Hispanics have still benefited overall since the enactment of the ACA, resulting in 4 million adults gaining coverage, according to the Department of Health & Human Services’ March 2016 report.

According to the BEPI survey, it appears Hispanic women are increasing their access to health insurance through the ACA with 52 percent of females saying they have government healthcare coverage compared to only 23.3 percent of males.

An analysis published in late 2015 by consulting firm McKinsey & Company found premiums for the lowest-cost ACA plans are expected to increase by a median of 10-13 percent in 2016. The report also found that more than half of the government-sponsored nonprofit insurance co-ops have now failed, leaving more than 750,000 families and individuals scrambling for new health insurance.

“The increased healthcare costs compared to last year is probably making it harder for Hispanics to afford health insurance,” said Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., director of the BEPI.

Political partisanship appeared to play a part in influencing respondents’ opinions on healthcare topics. Republicans and Independents were significantly more likely (50 and 53 percent, respectively) to think it was harder to afford health insurance as compared with Democrats (41 percent).

Overall, 51 percent of Hispanics gave Obamacare a favorable rating, compared with 35 percent unfavorable.

The poll was conducted nationally April 1-30.

(Español) Pablo Soria de Lachica – Describe Como Desarrollar Transacciones Programadas En Forex

May 5, 2016

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https://es-us.finanzas.yahoo.com/noticias/pablo-soria-lachica-efectos-crisis-235100910.html

Sorry, this entry is only available in Español.

(Español) Comenzó con gran éxito la preventa para uno de los conciertos más esperados en el área de la bahía, La Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga el 12 de agosto, 2016 en Oracle Arena en Oakland, CA

May 5, 2016

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Comenzo con gran exito la preventa para uno de los conciertos mas esperados en el area de la bahia, La Banda MS de Sergio Lizarraga el 12 de agosto, 2016 en Oracle Arena en Oakland, CA

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National Alliance for Hispanic Health statement on FDA Action on Tobacco: Will Save Lives And Help Reverse Hispanic Tobacco Tipping Point

May 5, 2016

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WASHINGTON, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “Today’s action by the FDA will save lives by finally including cigars, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco and e-cigarettes as regulated products. No form of tobacco use is safe and the rise of smoking among Hispanic youth, particularly use of e-cigarettes, has created a tobacco tipping point that unless reversed will result in a generation of tobacco related disease and early death,” said Dr. Jane L. Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (the Alliance), the nation’s leading Hispanic health advocacy group.

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule extending its authority to all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco and pipe tobacco, among others. This rule helps implement the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. Before today, there was no federal law prohibiting retailers from selling e-cigarettes, hookah tobacco or cigars to people under age 18. Today’s rule changes that with provisions aimed at restricting youth access, which go into effect in 90 days, including:

Not allowing products to be sold to persons under the age of 18 years (including online);
Requiring age verification by photo ID;
Not allowing selling covered tobacco products in vending machines (unless in an adult-only facility); and
Not allowing the distribution of free samples.

According to data published last month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA Center for Tobacco Products in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 4.7 million middle and high school students were current users (at least once in past 30 days) of a tobacco product in 2015. Among middle school students, Hispanics were the group most likely to be current tobacco users (10.6%) compared to non-Hispanic white (6.3%) and non-Hispanic black (6.6%) students. The data also showed that e-cigarettes are now the most common tobacco products used among youth and use escalated from 1.5 to 16.0 percent between 2011 and 2015 among high school students.

“Hispanic adults have always had smoking rates below the national average, resulting in lower rates of heart disease and other smoking related illness. However, the data released last month show that Hispanic middle school students are now more likely than their peers to use tobacco. It’s a tobacco tipping point, but actions like today’s historic move by the FDA will help families reverse this threat to the health of our children and communities,” emphasized Dr. Delgado. Dr. Delgado concluded, “If you need support talking to your children about not smoking or you or a loved one needs help quitting, we are here to help. Call our toll-free Su Familia Helpline at 1-866-783-2645. Together we can build a healthier and smoke-free America.”

About the National Alliance for Hispanic Health (The Alliance) — The Alliance is the nation’s foremost science-based source of information and trusted advocate for the health of Hispanics in the United States with a mission to achieve the best health outcomes for all. For more information visit us www.hispanichealth.org.

Nuestras Voces (Our Voices) — Nuestras Voces is a national network of over 100 organizations working for a tobacco-free world and to eliminate disparities in cancer prevention and treatment services. You can be part of this effort being led by the National Alliance for Hispanic Health! Join us at www.nuestrasvoces.org/join.

The Bayat Foundation Partners With The Starkey Hearing Foundation To Bring Hope, Healing And Hearing To The Dominican Republic

May 5, 2016

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A young girl in the Dominican Republic celebrates hearing for the first time with Bayat Foundation Chairman Ehsan Bayat

KABUL, Afghanistan, May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Fulfilling its mission to serve people in need—wherever they may live—The Bayat Foundation, Afghanistan’s leading health and social development organization, completed a three-day hearing care mission April 18-20 in the Dominican Republic in support and sponsor of the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160505/364234

The senior leadership of the Bayat Foundation volunteered to give the gift of hearing to people in need. Dr. Ehsanollah Bayat, Chairman, and Ms. Leah Bayat of the Bayat Foundation joined the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s hearing health specialists and mission team to provide hearing health care to more than 1,200 people living in the cities of Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros.

Joining the Bayat and Starkey Hearing Foundation service teams was world champion boxer Evander Holyfield who inspired the patients to achieve their potential.

Following the Santo Domingo hearing mission, the mission team traveled to Santiago de los Caballeros, the capital of Santiago Province. There, from April 19-20, the mission team established a Hearing Health Care Center at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, and provided hearing devices for more than 350 people living in Santiago de los Caballeros and the surrounding area.

The ages of the patients ranged from one year of age to 115 years old. A survey of the patients in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros, indicated that 35 percent didn’t know the cause of their hearing loss and about 24 percent of the patients had experienced hearing loss at birth.

In each location, the hearing mission team—supported by scores of local volunteers, utilized a meticulous intake process, which prepared each patient to receive the most appropriate and effective type of hearing care. The intake process included recording the name, residence and vital statistics of each patient, conducting an examination cleaning of the ears and auditory system. Then each patient was fit with a set of ear molds—clear, wear-resistant plastic discs used to house the hearing aids provided without cost to each patient.

After completing intake, volunteers escorted each patient into the treatment area, where the Bayat and Starkey hearing care teams, together with specially trained volunteers fit each patient with the hearing devices that empowered each patient—many for the first time in their lives—to use the precious, powerful gift of hearing, sound and their voices to connect with their families, their communities and the world.

In the Dominican Republic, Starkey Hearing Foundation, working with its strategic partners, has held eight hearing missions, distributing more than 37,000 hearing devices so that individuals of every age can receive the gift of hearing and the power of caring.

“Our service in the Dominican Republic—helping people escape a life of silence and hear again—was amazing and transformative for recipients and volunteers alike” said Leah Bayat, a mission volunteer. “In three days, we were able to help nearly 1,300 hear—many for the first time in their lives. This work with the Starkey Hearing Foundation is a powerful example of how we, as individuals, can be the change we want to see, and hear, in the world.”

“More than 360 million throughout the world are affected by deafness or some sort of hearing loss,” said Dr. Ehsanollah Bayat, the Chairman and Co-Founder of the Bayat Foundation. “In Afghanistan, our two organizations work side by side to provide hearing to thousands of Afghans, so we are honored to help the Starkey Hearing Foundation continue this vital work, in the Dominican Republic, in Afghanistan, and all over the world.”

About the Bayat Foundation:
Since 2005, the US-based Bayat Foundation, a 501 c (3) charitable organization, has promoted the well being of the Afghan people. Founded and directed by Ehsanollah Bayat and Fatema Bayat, the Foundation has contributed to more than 300 projects dedicated to improving the quality of life for the youth, women, poor, and elderly of Afghanistan; including construction of 13 maternity hospitals that have now treated over 1,600,000 mothers and babies. Projects have included the construction of new facilities and sustainable infrastructure in needy regions, and the promotion of health, education, economic, and cultural programs. In addition to his charitable initiatives, Ehsanollah Bayat founded Afghan Wireless (AWCC) in 2002, which was the first GSM wireless and Internet Service Provider in Afghanistan, and later established Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN), which includes Ariana Radio (FM 93.5). For more information, please email [email protected] or call 904-686-1470.

About Starkey Hearing Foundation:
Starkey Hearing Foundation, a public charity founded by William F. Austin, gives the gift of hearing to people in need in the U.S. and around the world. Disabling hearing loss affects more than 360 million people, including 32 million children, yet many do not have access to the hearing devices that improve lives and promote understanding. The Foundation focuses on hearing health missions, education, and recycling, as well as grants to mission-aligned organizations. Connect with Starkey Hearing Foundation on Facebook and Twitter, or visit www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.