With temperatures reaching the 90’s and heat indexes of over 100, there’s a lot of worry about people without access to air conditioning, especially Saturday when more people are out of work and at home or outside without cool air.

Mel Trotter has partnered with GRPD, Pine Reach Street Reach, the Heartside Neighborhood Collaboration Project as well as a few others to make sure the people around Grand Rapids, who are experiencing homelessness, have a safe place to cool off and get out of the heat.

Also as of Friday with the Heat and humidity reaching dangerous points, Mel Trotter has gone into what the call “Code Red” which means as they explain, “extends extra grace and support to individuals and families who are in crisis.”

According to their press release, the "Code Red' policy also provides;

  • 24 hours of cooling center options inside the building

  • Cold water at every entrance

  • On-site medical staff to assess for heat-related illness

  • Lifted curfew times, access to evening shelter earlier than the normal schedule

  • Removing previous restrictions to enter shelter for people who have violated rules

  • A team conducting outreach to people who are living in camps, bridges, and other areas of the city and offering them food, water, and cold towels and transportation back to the Mission.

 

Mlive also posted a list of cooling centers and times they’re available throughout Kent County which includes:

  • Degage Ministries, 144 Division Ave. Monday-Saturday, 7-11:30 a.m. and 4:30-7:30 p.m.
  • God’s Kitchen, 303 Division Ave. Sunday, 2:30-4 p.m. and Monday-Saturday, 12:30-2 p.m.
  • Grand Rapids HQ, 320 State St. Open to ages 14-19 Monday-Thursday 3:30-5:30 p.m. Open to ages 20-24 Tuesday-Thursday from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Guiding Light Mission, 255 Division Ave. Open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Heartside Ministry, 54 Division Ave. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.
  • Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce Ave. Day Center is open daily 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church, 47 Jefferson Ave. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Also, you can call 2-1-1 and the Heart of West Michigan United Way can help you with cooling station locations and other options to stay cool and safe this weekend.

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