Latinos in College and Bedoyecta Announce Partnership to Help Latino Students and Parents with Resources to go to College and Graduate Successfully

NEW YORK, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In alignment with their vision to support the wellbeing of Hispanic families in the U.S., Bedoyecta®, the multi-vitamin brand marketed by Valeant Consumer Products, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America, LLC, launches a partnership with the organization Latinos in College (LIC).

"We're excited to be supporting this important initiative to provide Latino students with the educational opportunities they need to improve their chances of going to college and obtaining college degrees.  Bedoyecta® is grateful for the connection we have with Hispanic communities across the U.S., and we wanted to find a unique way to give back to the mothers, fathers and students who use our products every day to maintain their healthy lifestyles.  This partnership with Latinos in College is a perfect fit with our brand," says Alissa Hsu Lynch, VP & General Manager, Consumer Products, Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC.

Bedoyecta®'s integrated cause-related approach will help Latinos in College fulfill its mission of helping Latino students and their families find all the information, resources and connections they need to go to college and graduate successfully.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 37 percent of the 44 million Hispanic U.S. residents are under the age of 20, and by 2020, Hispanics will make up 22 percent of the nation's college-age population. Between 2000 and 2008 the number of minority children grew by 4.8 million, and Hispanics accounted for more than 80 percent of the increase. 

While Latinos are large in population growth and number, their high-school dropout rates and college graduation rates reveal a concerning future for America's youth. Of 100 ninth grade Latino students, only 13 will graduate from college and obtain their degree within six years according to a report by the National Conference of State Legislature[i].

Under the tagline 'Echale Ganas a tu Futuro' Bedoyecta®'s program, developed in partnership with marketing agency XL Alliance, includes a series of student and parent workshops, online educational materials, an active social media campaign, a grant for college organizations serving Hispanic communities and monthly donations as a percentage of the brand's U.S. sales.

"We are very excited to be working with the Bedoyecta® team on a year-round program and extremely grateful for their commitment to our organization's mission," said Mariela Dabbah, CEO of Latinos in College.

Run mostly by volunteers, Latinos in College will maximize the support provided by Bedoyecta® to expand its community reach and online support. The program is expected to reach hundreds of thousands of students and parents via Latinos in College's website, its online community on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and in-person workshops.

"It's a chance for students to get experience as bloggers, video loggers, social media managers, and trainers while they make a substantial impact on their peers. They also get to be part of a wonderful network of professionals and students across the country," said Christine Mendonca, Director of Operations of Latinos in College.

The program is scheduled to kick-off in March of this year with workshops in Los Angeles, El Paso, and Houston. For additional information about workshops, materials, and more please visit www.latinosincollege.com, www.bedoyecta.com www.facebook.com/latinosincollege and www.facebook.com/bedoyecta.

About Bedoyecta
Bedoyecta® is unique thanks to its 3 benefits: (1) Our Legacy: For more than 30 years, the Bedoyecta® brand has offered high quality nutritional supplements for the entire family in Mexico, and now it is available to the Mexican community here in the United States. (2) The Power of B: Scientific studies continue to show the importance and power of vitamin B, particularly a combination of vitamin B12 and folic acid for mental well-being, red blood cell production, and the conversion of food into energy[ii].  (3) Our Formula: The ingredients in Bedoyecta® capsules, Bedoyecta® Max, and Bedoyecta® Kids provide support to both the physical and mental well-being and functioning of adults as well as children[iii]. For more information visit www.bedoyecta.com.

About Latinos in College
Latino in College is a not-for-profit organization founded by award-winning author, spokesperson and expert on education and career issues, Mariela Dabbah, who launched the online platform in 2009. The website aims to not only provide links to resources but also to answer any college related question in Spanish or English that students and their families might have.  The organization also conducts live and online workshops and webinars focused on college access and career development. For more information visit: www.latinosincollege.com. 

[i] http://www.ncsl.org/documents/educ/LatinoCollegeCompletion.pdf 
[ii] This statement has not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease
[iii] Bedoyecta® capsules and Bedoyecta® Max are recommended for adults only. Bedoyecta® Kids is for children 4 years and older

SOURCE Bedoyecta