BOISE, Idaho — During Idaho’s dangerously hot temperatures, the homeless community is outside without air conditioning or homes. Some go to malls, to the library, or find colling locations for shelter and a break from the sun.
But Interfaith Sanctuary and CATCH are working together to ensure everyone who has nowhere to go escape the heat.
Both non-profits are collecting donations of water, sunscreen, sun hats and reusable water bottles to give out to the homeless. Also, there are there are ten cooling locations throughout the Treasure Valley.
“This week in particular is extremely hot,” said Stephanie Day, executive director of Catch. “That’s pretty dangerous for folks that have to be outside during the day.”
Cassidy Landry knew this journey personally when she was homeless in 2019.
Cassidy was able to get housing through Catch, and now, she and her two kids are no longer homeless, for which she said she is thankful. She reflected on the time she spent with nowhere to go.
“All through the summer months, I was homeless,” Landry said.
She said she would try to stay under shaded areas and stay hydrated if she could.
“In reality though it is impossible to stay cool or stay out of this kind of heat,” Landry said.
She described being homeless in the heat as being trapped – with no escape.
“You don’t get that when you’re homeless,” Landry said. “You don’t get that nice escape of walking into a ventilated apartment with AC.”
Both Interfaith Sanctuary and CATCH are accepting donations, and to learn more information on how to help the homeless, visit their websites.
The ten locations that are official “cooling locations” are:
- Boise City Hall,
- Boise Public Library,
- Cathedral of the Rockies,
- City Light Home for Women and Children
- Corpus Christi
- Garden City Library
- Hays House
- Interfaith Sanctuary
- River of Life
- Treasure Valley YMCA
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