Homeless Leadership Coalition Members Respond to Local Heat Watch
With the national weather service issuing an excessive heat watch for parts of Central Oregon, members of the Homeless Leadership Coalition are again organizing to support the unhoused and others in need.
Coalition members including Jefferson County Faith-Based Network, Craig’s Compassionate Cafe and churches like Mountain View Fellowship of Redmond and the Madras Free Methodist Church are offering space, staff, and resources to operate indoor cooling centers. Cooling centers will operate during the heat of the day when individuals experiencing homelessness are most at risk of heat illness. These locations will provide shade, water, and connection to services.
Service providers and mutual aid groups are organizing to support individuals experiencing homelessness by increasing the distribution of supplies such as water and sunscreen to help individuals survive the heat.
Deschutes County Homeless Outreach, Central Oregon’s Veteran’s Outreach, Jericho Road, Cascades Youth and Family Services Street Outreach, Redmond Collective Action, Street Kitchens Collective, Helpers, Bend Church, Central Oregon Villages Outreach and Mosaic Medical will maintain their usual outreach schedules with a focus on providing access to water in response to the extreme heat.
