Agencies set up heat plan for Yuma-area homeless

For most Yuma residents, the summer heat can be unpleasant. For the city's homeless, it is also potentially dangerous.

According to information from Cenpatico, dehydration and heat-related illness are the causes of over 1,000 hospitalizations and scores of fatalities every year; they say the state's homeless are hit particularly hard.

To help prevent heat-related illnesses among this especially vulnerable population, Cenpatico and the Living Center are teaming up to collect water and provide shelter to the homeless in Yuma.

The drive was initiated by Cenpatico, says Melinda Vasquez, the company's chief officer of community affairs.

“We asked for volunteers to host the drive in Arizona cities. The Living Center volunteered right away.”

In addition to their Yuma location, they are also in charge of a drive in Nogales and Casa Grande.

Cenpatico also has a heat plan at all of its regional locations. The plan ensures that people have an indoor area available for them to cool off during the height of the day's heat. The Cenpatico office and the Living Center both offer space for this function. Many halfway houses and rehab centers in the Yuma area also have similar programs.

Though any potable water is appreciated at the drive, Vasquez said the best thing for people to donate is one-gallon jugs.

“They are much easier to carry around than many small water bottles,” she said. They will also be taking monetary donations to buy water.

Jaquie Kukuk, program support coordinator at the Living Center in Yuma, said this drive will fill a need that is currently unfulfilled in Yuma. Kukuk pointed out that while there are places that offer water on site, many are closed throughout the hottest potions of the day.

“We are trying to target the population which wanders during the day. They don't have a reliable source of water during much of the day.”

The Living Center 1444 S. 4th Ave., will be both a drop-off and distribution facility for the donated water. It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Recovery Operation Center will also be taking donations, distributing water and providing relief from the heat. It is located at 2851 S. Avenue B, Bldg. 11, Suite 101.

Both locations will take donations through the end of September.