WS Chronicle

HanesBrands has expanded its successful Central American school renovation and after school youth club programs to Honduras 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 schools 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.