I caught up with CLEARCorps Executive Director Sue Gunderson after Barack Obama was declared the winner. I wanted to know her thoughts on the election and how that will influence her work.
CLEARCorps was established back in the 1990s by the National Paint and Coatings Association to provide a non-intrusive wholistic way to make housing with children lead-safe. Under Gunderson, the non-profit has become much more. As I see it, CLEARCorps is emerging as the fresh model for helping families help themselves. The Clinton Administration tried that but its focus had to be more riveted on the economy and its own stumbles.
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Sue Gunderson, Executive Director of CLEARCorps, on-the-record:
"The election? As a Wellstone Democrat in Minnesota, I am thrilled. Having a highly intelligent leader who happens to be an African-American makes me feel hopeful.
"Now, down to business. Research will be out soon that we worked on with the University of Minnesota. The research shows that lead poisoning is more tied to family assets and stress than just the presence of lead dust.
"That research can be applied in any number of ways. For example, the paint companies, which are still defendants in public nuisance and personal injury litigation, can say: Hey, we told you that elevated lead levels in the blood was often 'caused' by poverty and parenting. Or they can say: Hey, we knew lead was a factor but this proves that remediating/abating the 24 million homes in the country is not going to work. That's too long, too expensive, and not really targeted at the kids who need the help.
"And guess what, America? The kids in lead-contaminated houses need something much different than just getting the lead abated. They need a family-centered, ongoing support system that has been broken in this country. Let's heal the family, however you want to define what a 'family' is, and we will finish the job of ridding America of the vestiges of the lead paint hazard.
"My recommendation? Let's look at lead prevention as a family mission. The only approach that will be effective is one that supports families in achieving stability. Fortunately, now that ACORN et al. have been discredited, the nation is becoming all ears in hearing about wholistic solutions to whatever. Taking the lead out just takes the lead out. This doesn't remove the suffering, though. America is in pain. A symptom of that is the 24 million units with lead - and children exposed to that lead."
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CLEARCorps accepts donations. And those contributions are tax-deductible. Contact CLEARCorps. If you want to structure a special kind of donation, please get directly in touch with Sue Gunderson, Sue@clearcorps.org, 651-707-7232.
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