May 2025 Newsletter

Every child deserves a healthy place to learn, grow and thrive.

Asthma Awareness Month

Help Kids Breathe Easier This Asthma Awareness Month

Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children—and a leading cause of missed school days. This Asthma Awareness Month, we invite you to explore our new Asthma Awareness web page, created especially for early learning centers and caregivers.

From identifying hidden triggers to creating healthier indoor environments, our page offers practical tools to protect the children in your care. You'll find:

✅ A downloadable asthma trigger checklist

✅ Tips for safer cleaning and classroom practices

✅ Family-friendly flyers on asthma, lead, and radon

✅ Trusted resources from EPA, CDC, and health partners

Let’s work together to reduce asthma triggers and ensure every child has the chance to learn, grow, and play—without worrying about their next breath.

Welcome To Our New Board Members

We are thrilled to welcome four exceptional leaders to the WHE Board of Directors—each bringing a wealth of experience and a shared passion for building healthier, more equitable communities.

💬 Michelle Merlo

A nationally recognized communications executive, Michelle brings over 35 years of expertise in marketing, branding, and public affairs. Her strategic insight and leadership will help amplify WHE’s mission and impact across the region.

🩺 Dr. Britnee Weatherspoon

Dr. Weatherspoon is a dynamic public health leader with deep experience in education, school health, and equity-driven wellness initiatives. As Prevention and Education Manager at UW Medicine – Harborview and a professor and consultant, she has long championed healthier environments for underserved communities.

⚡ Anna Siefken

Anna is the Principal Deputy Director of the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) at the U.S. Department of Energy. She helps lead the federal government’s transformation toward clean energy—impacting more than 350,000 buildings and 600,000 vehicles in collaboration with over 30 agencies.

🌱 Dr. Daren Ellerbee

Dr. Ellerbee is a social impact strategist and principal of IncluCity, where she advances equitable, community-driven innovation. She brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit, higher education, and government leadership—including directing civic engagement initiatives at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Pittsburgh to expand opportunity in historically underserved neighborhoods.

We’re honored to have these outstanding women join our board and help guide the future of WHE!

Let's Grow A Garden!

🛠 Habitat loss isn’t abstract—it’s happening in our backyards. Join a hands-on volunteer day to restore green space and give pollinators a fighting chance. Two dates and two locations:

📍Duquesne or Clairton

🗓 May 31 or June 1

🧤 No experience needed—just your time and energy. This event is family friendly with all tools provided. Potential roles/tasks include: pulling weeds, prepping beds/soil, establishing a compost spot, seeding/transplanting, and watering!

Have Questions About WHE?

Meet Rachel, WHE's digital AI Assistant. She's ready to answer your question 24/7 and deliver resources right to your fingertips.

About

WHE is a non-profit organization that empowers underserved communities to build resilience, promote equity and safeguard children from environmental health hazards. We collaborate with families, schools, and early learning centers to create healthy environments where children can flourish. Guided by science, we advocate for policies and programs that foster equitable lives free from environmental harms.