Prayer vigil highlights lead issue in Milwaukee, and what can be done to help

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Two groups in Milwaukee used prayer to send a message about protecting children from lead poisoning at a prayer vigil on Wednesday, Oct. 30. 

The groups say they are concerned about keeping the 10,000 babies born each year in Milwaukee lead free. 

The prayer vigil was hosted by the Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope and the Coalition on Lead Emergency. 

The coalition is asking the city to include $240,000 in the 2020 budget for a program called, "Birthing Moms Pilot Project." This would provide a lead-free kit to every new mom and would include a water filter pitcher and instructions on how to raise lead-free kids. 

A mother whose son was lead poisoned when he was three, due to lead in the paint and water of their apartment building, said she was there to share her message. 

"What happened to my son shouldn’t have happened and I want to prevent that from happening to any other child,” Deanna Branch said. “I want to make sure this Birthing Mom Pilot Project goes through so that every other child can have a chance never having to experience lead poisoning and to get to have clean water because I feel like every child deserves clean water.”

The Milwaukee Common Council is set to discuss amendments to the city's 2020 budget on Friday, Nov. 1.