HanesBrands, a leading marketer of everyday basic apparel, today announced that it has expanded to Honduras its successful Central American school renovation and afterschool youth club programs in partnership with Glasswing International.
Since its inception in 2010, the Hanes partnership has resulted in the renovation of three schools in El Salvador and the creation of more than 60 after-school clubs at those school staffed by HanesBrands employee volunteers. Approximately 1,000 students participate in the clubs each week.
The expansion will result in renovations of two schools in Honduras and two additional schools in El Salvador, as well as creation of after-school clubs led by company employee volunteers.
Glasswing International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming communities in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala through improving educational opportunities, particularly in areas affected by high crime rates, and by improving healthcare services.
"While public schools in particular are an area most susceptible to violence, they are also the site of one of the most promising solutions," said Celina de Sola, co-founder and vice president of programs for Glasswing International. "Through this strategic partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and companies such as HanesBrands, Glasswing is increasing opportunities for youth in Central America."
HanesBrands, which has operated production facilities in Central America for more than 20 years, has made a cumulative multiyear commitment to date of $250,000 to the Glasswing partnership in Central America, an amount being matched by USAID. Employees will also contribute tens of thousands of volunteer hours to renovate the schools and lead organized after-school activities.
HanesBrands has approximately 9,400 employees in El Salvador and 9,200 employees in Honduras.
"Our company has a long history of reaching out to the communities in which we operate around the world," said Teddy Mendoza, manager of environmental affairs and corporate social responsibility for HanesBrands in Central America. "We are improving the learning environment of schools that have poor infrastructure and are creating after-school clubs that extend the amount of time kids are in school each day."
In El Salvador, the partnership funds and volunteers have been used to repair bathrooms, build roofs and ceilings, paint classrooms, landscape school grounds and refurbish sports facilities at schools in San Juan Opico and Ciudad Arce, both located near HanesBrands production facilities. Furniture, computers and teaching materials were also provided.
More than 900 employee volunteers, about 10 percent of the company's workforce in El Salvador, have contributed more than 15,000 volunteer hours to the schools. The employees, trained by Glasswing educators, are leading after-school clubs in the arts, computers, sports, journalism, academics and homework, and music.
Funding for the Glasswing partnership is part of HanesBrands innovative Green for Good philanthropy program. The company uses savings from sound environmental practices, such as recycling, to fund community improvement projects that utilize employee volunteers to help communities meet fundamental needs in the areas of education and health and welfare.
"We feel it's important for our company to create a sense of pride among employees by fostering a culture of integrity, teamwork and leadership both within the workplace and in the communities where they live," said Chris Fox, HanesBrands vice president of corporate social responsibility and environmental affairs. "We are excited to bring many more opportunities to our employees to help shape and strengthen their own communities where so many young people need support in order to prosper."
HanesBrands Green for Good projects in El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic include school renovations; hospital rehabilitation; ambulance donations; mobile medical clinics; ear, nose and throat surgeries; natural disaster relief; beach cleanups; and reforestation tree planting.
