Record high temperatures leading to a dangerous situation for the homeless, as it can be difficult for them to find ways to get out of the heat.
“These temperatures are dangerous,” said Erica Hitt, the social services manager for Salvation Army. “The last thing we want to see is someone out here having a heat stroke.”
Salvation Army opened up it’s doors today to make sure that all of the homeless had a safe place to cool down. Hitt said that the demand for places to cool off is increasing.
“Roughly 300 people a day are looking for somewhere to cool down,” said Hitt. “The whole purpose of the empowerment room is to provide that to them.
The empowerment room offers water, electricity, air conditioning, and games to all who visit. Marcus Scott has been homeless for three months and says that the shelter has been one of the few places that has been there for him.
“I’ve been out here since eight this morning,” said Scott. “It’s been so hard here because I have no friends, family, nothing.”
Salvation Army is trying to be that friend to everyone who comes, so that no one has to suffer.
“Because it’s been a 100 plus degrees they can’t last long,” said Hitt. “Unless these individuals come in and get some water or cool down, then they might end up in the hospital.
