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Puerto Seguro Safe Harbor is seeking volunteers to help run the Socorro Cooling Center. The center offers people a place to stay safe when temperatures are predicted to reach over 100 degrees. The service is designed to help individuals at high risk of heat stroke or severe medical complications as the temperatures rise.
"Heat stroke is a real threat. Deaths from heat stroke are rising across the country, killing over 2000 people in the US last year. Advocates estimate that about half of the people who have passed away were homeless. In general, people experiencing homelessness are 200 times more likely to die from heat-related causes than sheltered individuals," Shay Kelley, board chair at Puerto Seguro Safe Harbor, said.
Puerto Seguro is looking for trustworthy individuals to check people in at the front desk and offer general supervision. They will need two volunteers per shift who will work from noon to 7 p.m. on the days temperatures are predicted to be high. It's essential to get volunteers because they will be unable to offer this life-saving service if they do not find volunteers to help.
Kelley said there are about 30 people who live outside in Socorro.
"Last year, the temperatures rose to 109° several days in a row," Kelley said. "In some ways, even the psychological benefit of knowing that there is cool air waiting for us inside can give us the mental fortitude to get through whatever has to be done outdoors. Imagine not having that; imagine sitting in the shade of a rare tree, sunburned, without water, in the suffocating heat, waiting for night to fall to bring some relief."
She said in Belen, the fire station opens as a city-funded cooling center. In Albuquerque, sprinklers are turned on at the public parks, and day shelters are open for people to come inside "Does Socorro care as much about its residents as Belen and ABQ? I hope so."
Kelley said volunteering is a great opportunity to serve their neighbors in a meaningful way and the shifts aren't too involved. While supervising, volunteers can read a book, study, or do remote work on their laptops.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Puerto Seguro Safe Harbor by email at: director.PSIsafeharbor@gmail.com or stop by during regular hours.
