As temperatures reach triple digits in Mesa this summer, the city is partnering with Maricopa County Public Health and local organizations to provide heat relief services for vulnerable residents and unhoused individuals during the season.
Those at risk from the intense heat can spend summer days at the heat relief day respite center operated by Resurrection Street Ministry, 1109 E. Main St. The center is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays through Sept. 30. The location offers water, air conditioning, meals, a rest area, medical care, navigation services, showers and more. Pets are welcome.
There are other cooling centers around Mesa operated by different agencies. The list is as follows:
• The Salvation Army, 241 E. Sixth St., is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily and open until 7 p.m. on heat advisory days. Leashed, well-behaved pets welcome.
• MesaCAN, 635 E. Broadway, open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
•St. Vincent de Paul, 49 W. Broadway, daily, 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Terros Health, 1111 S. Stapley Drive, open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• First United Methodist Church, 15 E. First Ave., Cool Down Room and Clothing Closet open noon-3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The city of Mesa also has created hydration stations via its Water Resource Department for people to refill water bottles as much as they like, The location is as follows:
• Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., North Studios Building, noon-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday;
• Mesa Main Library, 64 E. First St., west side of the building;
• Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St., next to restroom facilities;
• Paz de Cristo, 424 W. Broadway, dining hall, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily;
• United Food Bank Volunteer Center, 358 E. Javelina Ave., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Friday;
• Falcon Field Airport, 4800 E. Falcon Drive, lobby, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday;
• Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
“Last year, Maricopa County experienced a troubling rise in heat-related deaths and illnesses,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “Working together with Maricopa County Public Health, local nonprofit organizations and our faith community, the city of Mesa is committed to ensuring that those most vulnerable to heat exposure have access to essential life-saving services, including hydration and cooling stations and daytime respite centers.”
The city is providing additional resources and programs to help provide relief from the heat during the summer, thanks to a federal grant from the American Rescue Plan Act, along with some of the city’s general funds,
According to a press release, the city will pilot a referral portable A/C loaner program. Officials are also implementing a team of Mobile Heat Relief Navigators from Phoenix Rescue Missions to provide access to heat relief centers and services in targeted areas.
There is also the Summer Electric Assistance Program that helps income-qualified residents with their electric bills during the month of July, as well as the Mesa Hydration Donation Campaign, which collects bottles and cases of water for people in need,
