Launching October 2026, during Lead Poisoning Awareness Month, Kids Read Cares turns our book network into a lead poisoning prevention channel for Salt Lake City’s west side. The need is measurable: county assessor records show roughly 72,600 homes in Salt Lake County are expected to still contain lead paint, about one in five, and the concentration is on the west side. In Glendale and Poplar Grove about 3 of every 4 homes date to the lead paint era; South Salt Lake and Rose Park are close behind. Children with lead poisoning usually look healthy; the only way to know is a blood test, and the damage is lifelong and preventable.

This October, Kids Read is already launching a donated billboard in Rose Park and Spanish language PSAs on Univision, produced with volunteer talent.