SYRACUSE — The LeadSafeCNY initiative of the Central New York Community Foundation will continue its outreach and community engagement with the help of some additional grant money. The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation of New York City awarded the program $400,000 in funding for activity over the next two years, according to the Community Foundation’s Jan. […]
SYRACUSE — The LeadSafeCNY initiative of the Central New York Community Foundation will continue its outreach and community engagement with the help of some additional grant money.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation of New York City awarded the program $400,000 in funding for activity over the next two years, according to the Community Foundation’s Jan. 22 announcement.
The LeadSafeCNY coalition is a collaboration of stakeholders from the health care, housing, education, philanthropy, and government sectors, as well as affected residents, who are working to decrease lead-poisoning rates in Central New York, the CNY Community Foundation said.
The coalition will use the funding to support its director position, which is held by LaToya Jones through United Way of Central New York. The money will also help pay for expenses related to resident engagement and advocacy efforts.
In addition, the coalition will use the grant funding to support one social-care navigator who will provide education and resources for local residents at risk of childhood lead poisoning.
“We are deeply grateful for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s continued support of LeadSafeCNY,” Jones said in the CNY Community Foundation announcement. “As someone who grew up in these communities, I understand firsthand the devastating impact lead poisoning can have on a child’s health and future. With this funding, we are able to expand our outreach, amplify our partnerships, provide essential resources, and continue working with families, healthcare providers, and community partners to create a safer, healthier environment for everyone.”
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation says it awards grants to meet the unmet health-care needs of individuals, families, and communities throughout New York state.
The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation chose to support LeadSafeCNY for its “potential to significantly improve” the health and safety of children in Syracuse. Over the past five years, the Cabrini Foundation has provided a total of $825,000 in support of LeadSafeCNY, the CNY Community Foundation noted.
The Community Foundation’s LeadSafeCNY program started awarding grants in 2018, and those dollars have resulted in the replacement of nearly 1,800 windows and 165 doors and the construction or renovation of more than 225 safe and affordable rental units. In addition, the funding also resulted in the training of nearly 285 people on proper lead-paint removal. Thousands of people have also been informed about the risks of lead poisoning.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that chipping lead paint is the leading source of lead poisoning in the U.S., per the Community Foundation announcement.
The LeadSafeCNY initiative funds a variety of approaches to address the region’s high childhood lead-poisoning rates.
The Community Foundation cites the Onondaga County Health Department as indicating 9.3 percent of Syracuse children tested in 2023 were shown to have elevated blood-lead levels. The LeadSafeCNY initiative has invested a total of $2.6 million in the community, per the foundation.
