Heifer honored for its family friendliness

Hunger-fighting agency wins Arkansas work-life balance honorable mention

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (May 9, 2011) – Heifer International received an honorable mention in the 2011 Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards, which recognize Arkansas employers for establishing and providing resources that support employees in balancing the needs of both work and family.

“We are very honored to have recognized in so positive a way,” said Julie Wood, director of Human Resources operations. “As competition for the best and brightest workers continues, this award can help set our recruiting and retention efforts apart from other employers in the area.”

“It also speaks to Heifer’s culture, which is very family oriented,” said Diane Souza, Heifer’s Human Resources manager. “We work to help the poor and hungry of the world, but we care very deeply for and about those with whom we work daily as well. This affirms that.”

The Governor's Work-Life Balance Award is presented annually to companies exhibiting leadership in implementation of family friendly practices. Starting in 2002, winners were recognized in several categories.

Companies nominated for the awards were asked to provide information regarding health benefits, work-time options, childcare assistance and other human resources policies. If a company did not have formal work-life policies, informal ways of making the work environment as family-friendly as possible were considered.

This year, there were 52 applicants this year and Heifer was one of 17 honorable Mentions spread out between five categories—small, medium and large profit, and medium and large nonprofit. Heifer, along with other winners will be honored at a luncheon in May.

Heifer’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in 50 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant.

For more information, visit www.heifer.org or call 1-800-696-1918.