5 Ways to Support Those Experiencing Homelessness This Summer
As summer temperatures climb, excessive heat can quickly become dangerous, especially for people without reliable access to air conditioning or shelter. There are simple, meaningful ways to help those most at risk. Whether it’s sharing cold water, recommending a nearby cooling center, or keeping an eye out for signs of heat illness, small acts of care can make a big difference. Here are five ways you can support your neighbors and community members during a heat wave.
1. Get to know and recommend your local cooling centers.
Many municipalities operate ‘cooling centers’ during excessive heat, typically public places like libraries and community centers. When there is a "code red", more locations open and often with extended hours to help folks find shelter from the heat. A quick Google search of “[your town] cooling centers” should generate relevant results for your town.
If you know someone who doesn’t have AC or is living on the street, encourage them, or join them, to spend a few hours in a mall, library, pool, or other public area with air conditioning. Even a few hours out of the extreme heat can help your body recover.
Local Cooling Centers
(Please Note: Many of these locations are only open during Heat Health Emergencies)
- Philadelphia Cooling Center Map
- Bucks County Cooling Centers
- Delaware County Cooling Centers
- Montgomery County Cooling Centers
2. Hand out cold water bottles or sports drinks.
*Please do not give out hot or warm water bottles that have been sitting in your car. The hot water doesn’t cool the body down and can do more harm than good. If you have a small cooler, consider filling it with ice and some water to hand out if you know folks who might be in need of it. Sports drinks with electrolytes are also a good option.
These items must be at least cool or cold. If you don’t have a cold drink on your person, you could offer to purchase one for someone from a local store.
3. Donate supplies or funds to local organizations doing outreach.
Many organizations operate year-round through the heat, rain, and cold to provide support to folks experiencing homelessness. In Philadelphia, the organizations listed below regularly provide outreach like food, drinks, medical supplies, Naloxone, and more. You can support them this summer by donating funds directly or essential items, like cooling towels, electrolyte packs, and sunscreen, to name a few.
You can also donate items (or funds) to support Pathways' emergency pantry.
4. Assist with finding shaded areas and watch out for heat illness.
If you see someone who looks “too hot”, encourage them to seek shade, take it easy, or offer to buy/give cold water. Heat exhaustion is the official name for when your body cannot cool itself down.
“Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are similar. And while one leads to another, both are equally dangerous when left untreated. Signs and symptoms of both include" (Cleveland Clinic, 2023):
| Heat Exhaustion | Heat Stroke |
| High body temperature between 101 F (38.3 C) and 104 F (40 C) | High body temperature above 104 F (40 C) |
| Pale skin | Dry, red skin |
| Muscle cramps | Inability to sweat |
| Headaches | Seizures |
| Dizziness | Dizziness or fainting |
| Weakness and fatigue | Slurred speech |
| Rapid breathing and increased heart rate | Hallucinations and altered mental state |
| Nausea and vomiting | Confusion, aggression or agitation |
5. Always remember to lead with kindness. If your offer is rejected, smile and move on.
Some people won’t always be willing to move places or accept your water. Often, it’s for reasons we can’t see, and the only thing we can do is smile, human to human, and move along. Homelessness is a complex, unique experience for each person experiencing it, often filled with hurt, shame, loneliness, and other tough emotions. In whatever actions you take, remember to lead with kindness—it’s free!
