The Valley has already hit triple-digit temperatures and a summer that is hotter than usual is expected, creating safety risks for elderly residents, those experiencing homelessness and anyone who cannot afford adequate air-conditioning systems at home. That is why the city of Glendale is pleased to again open many buildings where residents may stay cool, drink a bottle of water and gather information about valuable community resources – all starting May 1.
Glendale is proud to be a partner again with the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) to support the Heat Relief Network this summer to strive to save lives as residents face intense heat. The city is collaborating with the Arizona Faith Network and the Phoenix Rescue Mission to operate two respite centers that will be located at Glendale Mission & Ministry Center, 6242 N. 59th Ave., and St. John’s Lutheran Church, 7205 N. 51st Ave. Anyone will be able to reap the benefits of a place to rest, as well as drink water, eat nutritious snacks and bring their pets to the respite centers. As a bonus, the Phoenix Rescue Mission will provide case managers to help any residents tap into diverse services to address their basic needs, including acquiring driver’s licenses and birth certificates and finding affordable housing.
“No one in our community should have to face extreme heat alone,” said Jennifer Fogle, Heat Relief Coordinator in Glendale’s Community Services Department. “We are committed to providing safe, accessible places for residents to cool down and stay protected. We encourage everyone to take this heat seriously and make use of the resources available.”
The Glendale Mission & Ministry Center and St. John’s Lutheran Church will be open from noon to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. While the Glendale Mission & Ministry Center will start welcoming residents on May 1, St. John’s Lutheran Church will kick off its respite services on May 18.
Residents who need an indoor place to cool off for a few hours and drink water may visit these cooling centers in Glendale:
- Foothills Library, 19055 N. 57th Ave.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
- Foothills Recreation and Aquatics Center (FRAC), 5600 W. Union Hills Road: 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays
- Glendale Adult Center, 5970 W. Brown St.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
- Heroes Regional Library, 6075 N. 83rd Ave.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
- Main Library, 5959 W Brown St.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
- Velma Teague Library, 7010 N. 58th Ave.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays
People may visit these hydration stations in Glendale to simply grab a bottle of water:
- Community Services Department (City of Glendale), 7677 W. Bethany Home Road, Building E: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
- Glendale City Courts, 5711 W. Glendale Ave., Building B: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
- Glendale Community Center, 5401 W. Ocotillo Road: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
- Glendale Elementary School District (GESD) System of Care Center, 7677 W. Bethany Home Road: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays
- O’Neil Community Center, 6448 W. Missouri Ave.: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
- Rose Lane Community Center, 5003 W. Marlette Ave.: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays
The Phoenix Rescue Mission will provide FREE transportation via vans to any residents who need it between the different heat relief sites during the regular hours of operation for those centers. Also, it will offer free transportation to any residents from a respite center to their home in Glendale.
Senior citizens, children and any other vulnerable residents in particular are susceptible to heat-related illnesses and deaths. People experience heat-related illnesses when their bodies are unable to properly cool them. When body temperatures become very high, it can damage the brain and other vital organs, according to Maricopa County.
The locations of hydration and cooling stations, along with water donation sites around Maricopa County, can be found at https://azmag.gov/Programs/Heat-Relief-Network starting May 1.
To find transportation for heat relief, call 2-1-1 or visit 2-1-1 Arizona - A Program of Solari - 2-1-1 Arizona.
Glendale also offers many additional excessive heat-related programs, including a city emergency home repair program and utility assistance. Qualifying residents may access utility assistance through the Community Action Program (CAP) office. Low-to-moderate income residents who need help with repairs, including air-conditioning units or evaporative cooler upgrades, are eligible for the emergency home repair program. The city of Glendale manages this program and works with several contractors for repairs. To learn more about the city of Glendale’s heat relief program, visit glendaleaz.gov.
City of Glendale Heat Relief Network Flyer(PDF, 10MB)