BELLOWS FALLS — Lead Safe Homes announces the hiring of outreach specialist Allyson Wendt.
Working closely with program director Michelle Pong, Wendt will participate in several educational opportunities aimed at contractors, landlords, parents, and others for whom lead is a concern.
“I've long been interested in creating and encouraging safe, sustainable housing,” said Wendt. “Making people aware of lead hazards and helping them understand how to work around lead safely is a big part of that effort.”
In addition, Wendt will focus on educating parents of the risks of childhood lead poisoning. “Young children are particularly at risk for lead poisoning, the effects of which can be irreversible. By informing parents of the risks and arming them with the knowledge they need to protect their families, we hope to decrease childhood lead poisoning in southeastern Vermont.”
Wendt joins Lead Safe Homes after working as a managing editor for Environmental Building News, a green building publication produced in Brattleboro. She hopes that her knowledge of green building will complement Lead Safe Homes' mission to reduce lead poisoning in and create healthy home environments for young children.
Lead Safe Homes has been successfully addressing the problem of lead poisoning in southern Vermont since 2005. In the last year, the program has trained nearly 400 individuals in lead safe work practices.
Lead Safe Homes is a program of Parks Place Community Resource Center. For more information, contact Michelle Pong at 802-463-9927, ext. 208; 802-874-2266; or michelle@parksplacevt.org