Salem, OR — In response to the impending heatwave, the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (MWVCAA) is ramping up efforts to protect those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Marion and Polk Counties. MWVCAA’s Inclement Weather Response Plan, led by the ARCHES Project and Home Youth Services, is a compassionate and strategic approach aimed at alleviating immediate discomfort while preventing life-threatening heat-related illnesses.
“During excessive heat events, providing cooling centers and street outreach services isn’t just about comfort; it’s a lifeline for our community’s unsheltered and at-risk populations,” said Ashley Hamilton, Chief Program Officer for MWVCAA, when speaking about the Inclement Weather Response Plan.
Beginning July 4, 2024, MWVCAA will activate this response plan by strategically deploying street outreach teams throughout Marion and Polk Counties and operating cooling centers in Salem, Mill City, and Woodburn. Outreach teams will deploy daily from 8:30am-7:00pm when temperatures are above 90 degrees. These teams provide unsheltered individuals with essential supplies, including water and electrolytes, to help them stay hydrated. Outreach workers will also assess individuals for signs of heat-related illnesses and offer transportation to cooling centers.
In addition to targeted outreach interventions, MWVCAA will extend hours at its day center until 7 pm when temperatures exceed 95 degrees and dedicate staffing at Mill City and Woodburn sites. These low-barrier, pet-friendly cooling centers are welcome to all who need a safe refuge from the sun’s intensity. Guests utilizing these centers will have access to water, snacks, and navigation assistance to help individuals meet their healthcare and permanent housing goals.
“Unsheltered individuals are already vulnerable due to the complexities of their housing status and often have complicated medical conditions. Extreme weather and heat can exacerbate these
concerns, making the Agency’s efforts even more crucial in preserving human dignity and health,” said Hamilton. “It is through these efforts we display compassion in motion while tackling the dangers posed by extreme weather to save the lives of our fellow neighbors.”
MWVCAA invites community members to get involved and display compassion in motion by donating or volunteering. Donations of bottled water, electrolytes, and other heatwave essentials can be made at the ARCHES Lodge located at 1875 Fisher Road NE. Salem, Oregon. Community members can also sign up to volunteer at the Day Center. For more information about donating or volunteering, visit our website at mwvcaa.org/programs/emergency-services or follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/SalemARCHES.
Current Cooling Center locations and hours of operation
July 4, 2024:
ARCHES Day Center – 9am-4pm
Location: 615 Commercial Street NE. Salem, OR 97301
Woodburn Cooling Center – 12pm-7pm
Location: 1560 Hardcastle Ave. Woodburn, OR 97071
July 5-7th:
ARCHES Day Center – 9am-7pm
Location: 615 Commercial Street NE. Salem, OR 97301
The Drop-In – 2pm-7pm
Location: 1255 Broadway Street NE. Suite 110, Salem, OR 97301
*This site is for youth 11-17 or 18 if still enrolled in school or a GED program.
Woodburn Cooling Center – 12pm-7pm
Location: 1560 Hardcastle Ave. Woodburn, OR 97071
Santiam Outreach Community Center (SOCC) – 10am-5pm (extended to 7pm if temperatures are above 95)
Location: 280 NE. Santiam Blvd. Mill City, OR 97360
*This site will be closed on July 7th
About the Organization
Founded in 1967, MWVCAA is a leading anti-poverty organization serving Oregon’s Marion and Polk Counties. The organization has been grounded in their mission of empowering people
to change their lives and exit poverty by providing vital services and community leadership for over half a century. They use innovative and research-based practices to design and refine
programs that underscore their vision that all people are respected for their infinite worth and are supported to envision and reach a positive future. MWVCAA has crafted an anti-poverty response framework comprising eight core programs and over 50 subprograms across three divisions. These divisions include Early Learning and Childcare, Energy and Weatherization, and Housing and Homeless Services.
