Stay safe this summer
This summer we've already seen how hard it is for those experiencing homelessness when it's not safe to be outside. The poor air quality in Baltimore brought on by Canadian wildfires highlighted how few options many people are left with when public health messaging tells us to "stay indoors," either due to environmental factors or extreme heat.
In the summer months, people experiencing homelessness are especially at risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and worsening of existing health problems. While systemic change and permament housing is the only real longterm answer, there are some things you can do to stay safe and help your neighbors do the same.
KNOW WHAT TO DO IN A CODE RED
Do you know what to do when officials issue a Code Red for extreme heat?
- Stay inside when possible and drink plenty of water
- Know the signs of heat stroke: confusion, hot and flushed skin, and no longer sweating while feeling hot
- Call 311 or sign up for Baltimore City emergency alerts
- Know where your closest cooling centers are—check out this interactive map!
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS
- Keep water, electrolyte drinks, and snacks on hand to offer to those with no shelter from the heat
- Check on older, sick, or frail neighbors who may need help during extreme heat
- If you have A/C and know of friends or neighbors that don’t, consider inviting them inside for a cool-down chat
BEAT THE HEAT
- Wet a washcloth for the back of your neck, or run cold water over pulse points on your wrists to quickly cool down
- Baltimore City’s public pools can offer relief from summer rays. Click here for a list of hours and locations
Beyond meeting immediate safety needs in extreme heat, you can read up on the ways environmental racism and inequality contribute to urban heat crises. Check out our Community of Practice on Homelessness conversation about race and the built environment.
More Recent News
We're excited to welcome Kisun Peters as Health Care for the Homeless' new Director of Finance. Kisun brings more than four years of finance leadership experience to this role, along with a commitment to expanding access to health care. Most recently, he served as Director of Finance & Business Development at Tuerk House, a behavioral health nonprofit in Baltimore. A strong believer in using data to make smart decisions, Kisun is passionate about building financial systems that support staff and advance an organization’s mission. He holds a master's degree in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh. Read on to get to know Kisun better (and how he spent his summer)!
Spend a day with Patient Navigator Kim Taylor and see how hands-on support helps people experiencing homelessness navigate cancer screenings, treatment and a complex health care system. From coordinating referrals to sitting beside clients during appointments, Kim ensures no one faces a cancer diagnosis alone.
From their headquarters in East Baltimore, Moveable Feast designs and delivers thousands of healthy meals each week for people in Central Maryland and on the Eastern Shore (including some Health Care for the Homeless clients). Read about their approach to improving health through nutrition...
If you drive by the corner of Park, Liberty and Fayette, you'll notice some big changes. See how Sojourner Place at Park, our latest housing project in partnership with Episcopal Housing Corporation, is taking shape!