VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 6/27/12)—AB Women’s Ministries Executive Director Virginia Holmstrom announced that six organizations nationally and internationally will receive Break the Chains grant funding in 2012. The organizations represent educational programs meant to diminish women and girls’ vulnerability to violence and provide tools for self-support and self-determination, providing safe spaces for women who have been abused, and advocacy and justice work on behalf of women and girls. “To uphold our passionate commitment to better the lives of women and girls globally, AB Women’s Ministries decided last year to continue the national Break the Chains mission project with a new theme and focus. ‘Break the Chains and Stop the Pain’ focuses on violence in the lives of women and girls, with emphases on domestic violence and other violent acts of oppression, including sex trafficking,” explained Holmstrom. Internationally, grants are awarded this year to the “AfterCare, Shelter, and Repatriation for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Exploitation, and Trafficking” program of NightLight Ministries Thailand, led by ABC International Ministries missionary Annie Dieselberg; the “Anti-Trafficking Outreach and Education in Bulgaria” ministry, led by ABC International Ministries missionary Terry Myers; and the “European Baptist Federation Anti-Trafficking Network Conference” to help support a coordinator position, with ABC International Ministries missionary Debbie Kelsey. In the United States, grants have been awarded to “GIRLS (Girls in Real Life Situations)” ministry of the Milwaukee Christian Center, Milwaukee, WI and led by Maritza Ugarte; “Safe Spirit Ministries: Building Sacred Safe Spaces” ministry of ABC of New Jersey and led by the Rev. Tamara Davis; and “Charting a New Employment Path for Women” ministry program of Cameron Community Ministries, Rochester, NY and led by Cindy Harper.