Phoenix Agency Asks For Heat-Relief Help For Valley Homeless

(Phoenix) – The Lodestar Day Resource Center (LDRC) launches annual Heat-Relief campaign to help the Valley’s homeless this summer. The LDRC has been designated by City of Phoenix and Maricopa Association of Governments as a Water Hydration Station and Heat Relief Refuge Location.

From June 1 through September 30, 2009 the LDRC will provide life-saving heat-relief to Valley homeless including an air-conditioned facility from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., seven days a week, water, restrooms, hats, and other essentials. In addition, social workers will be available to engage homeless persons seeking respite from the heat. An average of 500 homeless persons per day will access the LDRC and will be connected to life-saving services.

The cost to run the facility and provide heat relief for four months is $100,000. Help from the public is needed to ensure services.

Monetary donations can be made directly to the Lodestar Day Resource Center by visiting the website at http://www.lodestardrc.org/ or by mailing checks to 1125 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007, Attn:  LDRC Administration. All contributions are tax-deductible and may qualify for the AZ State Tax Credit.

Donations of bottled water are critical to LDRC’s heat relief services. In addition, donations including hats, sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses are also welcome at The Lodestar Day Resource Center (1125 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007).

Consider:

• Summer temperatures will average 105 degrees and may rise as high as 120 degrees.
• Each year, there is an average of 30-50 heat-related deaths in the Valley.
• Homeless individuals are especially susceptible to heat-related illness and death.
• Prolonged exposure to heat without respite, cooling and hydration can lead to heat stroke, exhaustion and death
• Cooling, respite and water will be provided to the homeless by the Lodestar Day Resource Center and partner agencies on the Human Services Campus, offering services to nearly 1,000 homeless individuals each day.

“We know how miserable it feels to get into our hot cars after a long day of work. Imagine what it would be like to be in that heat 24 hours a day, with no relief,” said Jessica Berg, executive director, LDRC. “What we do at the LDRC is so important; we’re literally saving and changing lives. And we can’t do it alone. I invite the community to our Center to see first hand what we do, and where their donations are going. I urge individuals and groups to consider taking on this heat relief campaign as a project. This is an invitation to take action and to truly make a difference.”

Jessica Berg can be contacted at: JBerg@lodestardrc.org or 602-223-3413.

Submitted on behalf of LDRC
The Lodestar Day Resource Center is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization in Phoenix whose mission is to provide a safe, engaging, holistic community that empowers people to end their homelessness and create positive, long-term life changes. The LDRC’s 25,000 foot facility is located on the Human Services Campus and houses ten other non-profit organizations or services designed to help homeless people get off the streets permanently. The public is welcome to visit or take a tour by contacting the LDRC’s Resource Developer Terry Araman at 602-525-4456 or taraman@lodestardrc.org.  For more information, please visit www.lodestardrc.org. Tax ID#26-0235106.

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