St. Vincent de Paul expands Phoenix heat shelter operations
St. Vincent de Paul expands Phoenix shelter hours
Extended hours at St. Vincent de Paul help residents escape dangerous summer heat in Phoenix. FOX 10's Andrew Christiansen reports.
PHOENIX - Extreme heat is expected to continue across Phoenix this week, creating a dangerous situation for people experiencing homelessness. To help prevent tragedy, St. Vincent de Paul is expanding hours at its overnight shelter.
This is the second summer St. Vincent de Paul has operated its overnight shelter, offering 170 cots to those in need. The organization is also expanding its daytime heat relief services. Typically, the facility closes for about five hours after lunch. But right now, doors are staying open to save lives.
Local perspective:
For the past six months, John and Arlene Samano have been volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul.
"It goes back to giving something back to this organization because they have done so much for us and the people around here," John Samano said.
For the brother and sister duo, volunteering is a way to escape the extreme outdoor temperatures.
"After the library, then we come straight here, which is still cool, and then we do our volunteer work. So actually, by volunteering you stay out of the heat that week," Arlene Samano said.
Not only do they volunteer, but St. Vincent de Paul also referred them to the City of Phoenix's "Safe Outdoor Space," a secure, managed campground that allows them to sleep safely overnight.
"The one thing that living in a shelter allows you to do is become resourceful of what's available and staying away from the heat," John Samano said.
St. Vincent de Paul extends facility hours and offers street outreach to protect vulnerable Phoenix residents during extreme summer heat.
By the numbers:
Since June, St. Vincent de Paul says its overnight shelter has served about 900 people.
"We just try to take everybody in as fast as we can," St. Vincent de Paul overnight shelter manager Andrew Peters said.
Peters says they also see about as many as 300 people a day seeking afternoon heat relief services.
"The extreme trauma that the human body goes through when it's never able to relax or cool off is life-threatening, and over a long period of time, it's just super important that places like this exist," Peters said.
Maricopa County public health officials report 81 heat-related deaths so far this year with hundreds more under investigation.
'It's very rewarding'
For the Samanos, their volunteer work is a way to pay it forward and survive the summer.
"It's very rewarding. At least inside," Arlene Samano said.
St. Vincent de Paul also goes out onto the streets to pass out water. The overnight shelter is open until Sept. 30.
St. Vincent de Paul extends facility hours and offers street outreach to protect vulnerable Phoenix residents during extreme summer heat.