READING, Pa. – It’s a critical time with temperatures reaching extreme levels, and for those experiencing homelessness, the dangers are even greater.
“We do targeted street outreach, and we take water to different places where people are staying,” said Elise McCauley, Assistant Director of the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness.
“Take them supplies if we have them donated. We do welfare and health checks to make sure that people are like staying safe in the heat.”
The Berks Coalition to End Homelessness is also helping people find places to cool off.
“Whether that’s the library or New Journey community outreach. They do a lunch every day, Monday through Friday. And tomorrow[Wednesday], they are doing extra cooling hours between 11 and 4 tomorrow,” McCauley said.
Other organizations are also pitching in.
“Refresh Berks does a mobile shower unit, and they are doing Thursday hours, and those hours are 12 to 2 down by the river near the RACC campus. So, helping people cool off and get showers,” McCauley said.
Living outside, the heat can quickly become dangerous.
“How hot it gets in the tents, not being able to cool off people. A lot of people who are sleeping outside right now are older adults, so you know, 65 and older, really hard to be outside, especially if people have like medical issues or or physical disabilities,” McCauley said.
The coalition says full shelters are making the situation even harder.
“It’s really sad because people will call and say, you know, it’s my first time experiencing homelessness,” McCauley said. “Can you tell me where to go?”
“And we have to tell people that there is nowhere for them to go.”
The coalition says that’s why it’s pushing for a day center in Reading.
“York has one. Lancaster has one. Allentown has one. So, you know, we’re really trying to look at those models and replicate that here,” McCauley said.
The coalition says they are accepting donations online and in person of water, snacks, first aid kits, all the things someone might need to cool off and stay safe.