Jenny PerezExecutive Director, Herbalife Nutrition Foundation
A commitment to improving lives is a noble and rewarding purpose. And when those lives are the ones of vulnerable children, there is no better reward than knowing a child is being cared for so they can grow and flourish into adulthood.
For 25 years, the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation (HNF) has been dedicated to improving the lives of children around the world by helping provide access to healthy meals and nutrition education.
The Evolution of a Commitment
The Herbalife Nutrition Foundation started out supporting a single organization in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was there that Mark Hughes, Founder and First Distributor of Herbalife Nutrition, came across an orphanage full of children from the poorest neighborhoods in the city. Mark decided to support that orphanage, and it became known as Casa Herbalife. 25 years later, the Foundation provides millions of dollars in funding annually to organizations around the globe to make sure underprivileged children have access to good nutrition and dignified care.
Our Casa Herbalife program, the key initiative of HNF, provides nutritious meals to children in vulnerable communities by partnering with existing charities and organizations like orphanages, hospitals, schools, and non-governmental programs. For example, in Texas alone, more than 1.6 million children face food insecurity. Our partners at Casa de Esperanza de los Niños in Houston provide comprehensive residential and family support programs that transform the lives of vulnerable children; giving kids hope, safety, and trusting relationships.
Today, we have established more than 170 Casa Herbalife partners around the world serving over 220,000 children each year. This is possible due to the tremendous work of a dedicated team, and the amazing generosity of countless Herbalife Nutrition independent distributors and employees.
The Foundation has extended its support for vulnerable children by raising funds in response to specific disasters, such as the 2017 earthquake in Mexico or the recent wildfires in California.
25 Years of Supporting the Next Generation
In 2018, the Herbalife Nutrition Foundation devoted $1 million to expand our Casa Herbalife program to more than 20 new community partners. This amazing contribution reflects the Foundations’ commitment to expanding the scope of programs in order to serve more children and the communities that need it the most.
After hearing stories from these children and communities, I have confirmed something I hold for certain: good nutrition is about more than just having enough food to eat. Through a shared effort among our partners, employees and independent distributors, we are providing children with the nourishment, care, and education they need to thrive today and spread their wings tomorrow.