Submitted by Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
Have you ever wanted to learn more about how to rid your home of hidden toxins, mold, and other health and safety risks? Join the county’s Healthy Homes volunteer program this fall to learn how to make your home and your community safer and healthier for all.
The Healthy Homes volunteer training covers the many ways our homes can affect our health, and teaches you how to reduce the health risks that are common in our homes. Topics include mold and moisture, ventilation, indoor air quality, exposure to toxins, lead, asthma triggers, pest control, general safety hazards and much more. The training also includes field trips and opportunities to put what you’re learning into practice.
“The training was absolutely worth attending,” said Healthy Homes volunteer Youssoufa Hassana, who attended the last volunteer training. “The information is so useful and practical that I use it in my daily life. It was a lot of fun and I am enjoying volunteering for such a valuable program.”
No prior experience or knowledge is needed to become a Healthy Homes volunteer—the free training course will teach you what you need to know. The training is geared toward individuals who enjoy working with others to improve their own health and the health of their community. You’ll learn from a range of expert speakers and get hands-on practice that will prepare you to do in-home visits. Every Healthy Homes volunteer also receives ongoing support with additional training, educational resources, checklists, referrals, and call-in support.
The next 10-week training course starts Tuesday, September 15. Classes are held from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. each Tuesday through November 17. Healthy Homes trainees also complete at least 30 hours of volunteer service to the Healthy Homes Program as their schedule allows. In pairs, Healthy Homes volunteers visit houses, rental units, and childcare centers and provide guidance and suggestions for low or no cost actions to reduce housing-related health risks. Volunteers can also staff booths at community events, give presentations to civic groups, work on special projects, and write articles for community newsletters, along with other volunteer outreach activities. Opportunities to volunteer vary in time of day and day of the week so that volunteers can fit participating in the program into their schedules.
Classes are held at the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department at 412 Lilly Road NE in Olympia, across from St. Peter’s Hospital. Intercity Transit bus routes 60, 62A, and 62B serve the area. To register for the Fall 2015 Healthy Homes training or to learn more about the Healthy Homes program, contact coordinator, Elisa Kaufmann at HealthyHomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call (360) 867-2674 or the TDD line at (360) 867-2603. You can also contact staff at the Healthy Homes program to request a visit at your home or childcare location.
