All about Healthy Child Healthy World

Learn about the goals of Healthy Child, Healthy World in this interview with Christopher Gavigan, executive director and CEO. This terrific organization is receiving a portion of the proceeds of Celebrate Green! Learn more about them at their website.

What is HCHW's mission?

Healthy Child Healthy World is dedicated to protecting the health and well being of children from harmful environmental exposures. We educate parents, support protective policies, and engage communities to make responsible decisions, simple everyday choices, and well-informed lifestyle improvements to create healthy environments where children and families can flourish.

How does HCHW make an impact on people's lives?

HCHW stresses prevention as a key to keeping families healthy in the long run. We call it the preventative practice, which is a fancy way of saying "better safe than sorry." So much of what's in our food, our water, our products, is unknown, and no long term testing has been done to verify safety. By advising parents what to avoid and what may be harmful, we hope to prevent sickness from taking hold in children and, instead, foster healthy environments where they can reach their full potential. 

What is the most exciting aspect of what HCHW is doing?

So much of our work is fulfilling but we were thrilled recently when Congress passed a sweeping reform to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The new bill includes a federal ban on 6 phthalates from children's products, a measure we have been advocating relentlessly for years.   We've been educating the public on the dangers of phthalates to children and lobbying the government to do something about it. Finally, the voices of concerned parents were heard, and change is happening. 

What are some of HCHW's goals for the future?

• Expand awareness and understanding of environmental hazards to children's health
• Help the public learn about healthier practices, solutions, and products in the marketplace
• Encourage daily action and informed lifestyle choices
• Create standards and policies for safer products, foods, materials, and chemicals used in the home – promoting safer options and new alternatives
• Advocate for and support corporate policies and governmental legislation that protect children from environmental risks
• Engage communities to make wise choices and responsible decisions so families can flourish

Why do you personally work with HCHW?  

I got involved because of my passion for children, love of all things related to health and the environment, and the hope for a better future for our children and our planet.

If people want to be involved with HCHW, what should they do? 

There are different ways for people to get involved with HCHW. Of course, monetary donations are always needed, and our work depends on receiving them.  But you can also get involved by spreading the word about us, visiting our website and sharing your stories, signing up for our newsletter, hosting a Healthy Home Party, or by becoming a volunteer or an intern.  Companies as well as individuals can get involved with HCHW's work. We partner and collaborate with organizations and green companies across the United States that share our passion and vision. 

What percentage of HCHW's income goes into programs?

That is an important question, and we are very proud that 92% of money raised goes directly to our programs and educational campaigns