HanesBrands, parent company of Hanes/Champion (asi/59528), has added a three-year extension to its funding for Glasswing International that will result in a $1 million partnership to provide critical youth services in El Salvador and Honduras, and allow Glasswing to expand into the Dominican Republic.

Glasswing International, which operates locations across Central America, is a humanitarian organization dedicated to strengthening infrastructure in needy countries to foster progress and improve lives. Since 2007, the organization has directed more than $25 million to education, health and community empowerment programs, with less than 5% going to overhead. HanesBrands employs approximately 30,000 workers in Central America and the Caribbean.

“Glasswing is an organization that smartly leverages existing resources to make a significant impact in the communities it serves and where we operate,” said Richard A. Noll, Hanes Chairman and CEO, in a statement. “Glasswing has been a fantastic partner in our efforts to build communities and improve the lives of our employees. We are looking forward to expanding this very powerful community improvement model to the Dominican Republic.”

The extended commitment of $525,000 from HanesBrands will allow Glasswing, in tandem with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has agreed to match Hanes’ extended funding, to build and operate a much-needed high school in San Juan Opico, El Salvador. The new facility will give local youth the opportunity to continue their education beyond sixth grade. In recent years, the area’s higher-level schools have been overwhelmed by violent community disputes, rendering them too dangerous to attend.

“Hanes is driven by a firm belief that doing the right thing is the basis for a successful business,” said Chris Fox, Hanes’ vice president for corporate social responsibility, in a statement. “Through our Hanes for Good philosophy, we support corporate social responsibility through our ethical code, workplace practices, environmental responsibility and community outreach. We are grateful to partner with visionary organizations such as Glasswing and USAID to support the youth and future of Central America and the Caribbean.”

Since 2010, Hanes and USAID have donated over $800,000 to support Glasswing’s programs in El Salvador and Honduras that provide youth with enriching and safe afterschool activities at no cost. Each week, more than 300 Hanes employees spend time supporting these programs.

“Hanes has been a crucial partner for us to develop our community schools model where the whole community, including parents, teachers, students, local governments and corporations, work in partnership to generate community pride, as well as safer and healthier schools where youths can thrive,” said Ken Baker, CEO of Glasswing International, in a statement. “The hundreds of Hanes employees who volunteer weekly in the schools are an inspiration to us and an example for other global businesses to follow.”

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