For Immediate Release                                              Contact: 626-421-1137

Sin Nombre is a powerful film depicting the Honduran/Central American immigrant struggle and Crips and Bloods is a serious documentary that shows images of the history and impact of African American gangs in Los Angeles.

Now we have the opportunity to look deeper into these issues through the upcoming book “Hope In Times of Darkness: A Salvadoran American Experience.”

Hope in Times of Darkness sends a message that we can be agents of positive change, and that minority youth in impoverished areas can succeed in life and become productive citizens of our society. The author, a Salvadoran American, lived in El Salvador as a child but grew up in South Central Los Angeles during the late 1970s and 1980s. He witnessed much violence on a first hand basis.

He also lived in Rochester, Minnesota; Washington, D.C.; and Alexandria, Virginia. In each of these cities, he observed the dynamics and challenges of the Salvadoran community. As he has both lived and transcended these struggles himself, he is able to depict a realistic and compassionate picture of the Salvadoran American/Latino experience throughout this book. The author focuses on social justice issues and contends that government, community-based organizations, elected officials, and community leaders can help create hope and opportunities for our youth, and thereby help improve our society.

Jurado Ertll knows the challenges that youth face when it comes to the allure of gangs. This book provides hope and key information for students to stay away from gangs and provides key advice and information for parents, students, teachers, and any individual who is interested in learning more about the struggles of low income, minority students.

Jurado Ertll is the executive director of El Centro de Accion Social in Pasadena, CA (www.elcentropasadena.org). He has worked for Congresswoman Hilda Solis in Washington, D.C., as her Communications Director/Legislative Assistant.  He has also worked with the Pasadena Unified School District, Salvadoran American National Network, Central American Resource Center, and the California League of Conservation Voters. He has published numerous opinion columns in newspapers such as the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union Tribune, La Opinion, and the Houston Chronicle.  He has been interviewed by networks such as NPR, CNN, PBS, Univision, and Telemundo.  This book will serve as an inspiration and hope for countless youth, whether they are Latino or non Latino.  It is a story that transcends one nationality group.

http://www.univpress.com/Catalog/SingleBook.shtml?command=Search&db=^DB/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0761846662

###