Viva Wyndham Resorts® Partners With UNICEF to Launch "Huesped de Corazon" to Improve the Quality of Life of Children in the Dominican Republic

MIAMI, July 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Viva Wyndham Resorts® announces that it has partnered with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to launch "Huesped de Corazon," a program to raise awareness of and alleviate all forms of abuse and violence, including commercial sexual exploitation, against children in the Dominican Republic. The all-inclusive resort company is the first hotel chain to implement this program in the country.  

Huesped de Corazon underscores Viva Wyndham's continued efforts to bring attention to social issues and improve the quality of life of children. Staff at Viva Wyndham Resorts' properties in the Dominican Republic, including the Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach and Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace in Bayahibe and the Viva Wyndham Tangerine in Cabarete, will receive education and training on children's rights. As a result, the staff will become advocates and disseminate messaging and information about the program throughout their communities.

"UNICEF is an incredible organization with a powerful mission and we are honored to partner with this non-profit. This alliance further exemplifies our social responsibility platform focused on societal issues," said Rafael Blanco Canto, executive vice president for Viva Wyndham Resorts. "This program has several layers of awareness building and education and our hotel staff will essentially serve as voices for this serious cause. We are confident that this program will have a significant impact on the lives of youth and families of the Dominican Republic."  

Guests of Viva Wyndham Resorts also will have the opportunity to contribute voluntarily to the cause by donating $1 USD, or the local currency equivalent, which will be noted on their hotel bill as a donation to UNICEF. All proceeds from Huesped de Corazon will be used by UNICEF to develop and promote local initiatives to protect children and adolescents under the framework of projects of the Program for Cooperation with the Government of the Dominican Republic, approved by UNICEF's Executive Board.

In addition to social issues, Viva Wyndham Resorts' social responsibility platform includes environmental and educational initiatives.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit www.unicef.org. For more information about UNICEF's work with the Dominican Republic visit www.unicef.org/republicadominicana. 

About Viva Wyndham Resorts®

Viva Wyndham Resorts® features all-inclusive properties throughout the Bahamas, Dominican Republic and Mexico. Viva Wyndham Resorts' multilingual staff, tropical settings, extensive amenities and thorough entertainment line-up ensures guests a truly customized vivid all-inclusive experience. As part of the brand's passion for life, it strives to protect all the resort's surrounding environments and cultures by implementing green programs. For reservations or more information, call 800-WYNDHAM or visit www.vivawyndhamresorts.com.

SOURCE Viva Wyndham Resorts