Safe Environment Coordinators in the Diocese of Allentown

The record keeping tasks associated with the diocesan initiatives relating to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People can be extensive, but

compliance in all diocesan locations has always been a necessity.  Someone in each parish or school is designated as the Local Safe Environment Coordinator to ensure that all locations are compliant. The responsibilities of the Local Safe Environment Coordinator include the oversight of the Diocese’s background check policy to ensure that all employees and volunteers have been checked and found eligible. This person is also to make sure that all employees and appropriate volunteers have completed all of the required information listed on the Diocese of Allentown Safe Environment Requirements Checklist. Our Parish Safe Environment Coordinator is Janessa Lanning O’Donnell, and she can be reached at the information below.

Ms. Pamela Russo oversees all local Safe Environment Coordinators to promote compliance, including visits to all diocesan schools and Parishes to verify that all files contain the necessary records.

St. Joseph Parish Safe Environment Coordinator

Mrs. Janessa Lanning O’Donnell

Phone: (610) 965-2877

Email: safeenvironmentcoordinator@stjoescoopersburg.org

Please contact Mrs. Lanning O'Donnell for all volunteering positions related to St. Joseph Church - including, but not limited to: PREP, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and High School Teen Group. Please note - any other individual or group running or assisting at a child/youth activity, or, using Parish buildings during school/PREP hours may be required to complete the clearance process. This may include members of any of our Parish Social and/or Spiritual Activities.

St. Michael the Archangel School

Safe Environment Coordinator

Mrs. Julia Spehalski

Phone: (610) 625-2748

Email: jspehalski@st-mikes.com

Please contact Mrs. Spehalski for all volunteering positions related to our Parish school and/or CYO.

Diocese of Allentown

Victim Assistance Coordinator: Ms. Wendy Krisak

Phone: 1-800-791-9209

Email: victimsassistance@allentowndiocese.org 

Charter Compliance Officer: Ms. Kelly C. Bruce

Phone: 610-871-5200, ext. 2203

Email: kbruce@allentowndiocese.org 

Secretary for Youth Protection: Ms. Pamela Russo

Phone: 610-871-5200, ext. 2204

Email: Prusso@allentowndiocese.org 

Secretary for Catholic Life & Evangelization: Ms. Annie Sarlo 

Phone: 610-289-8900, ext. 2026

Email: Asarlo@allentowndiocese.org 

Diocesan Attorney: Joseph A. Zator, Esq.

Phone: 610-432-1900 Fax: 610-432-1707 4400 Walbert Avenue Allentown, PA 18104