Salvation Army Helps the Vulnerable Beat the Heat

Extreme heat can be dangerous and, across Canada, The Salvation Army is responding to rising summer temperatures by setting up cooling centres and distributing water.

“We want to make sure there’s a place for people to sit inside if they need to just cool off, get some water and get hydrated, and make sure they’re not out in the hot sun and heat all day,” says Major Rob Kerr of The Salvation Army.

“Anything we can do to alleviate the conditions, we are going to do.”

Extreme heat affects everyone, but the risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, and the homeless.

“A lot of people living on the street already deal with severe health problems and have limited access to services,” says Mike Leland. “The heat just exasperates things.” In Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to ensure people get what they need.

Across the country, The Salvation Army is reaching out to those who are vulnerable to help them protect themselves.

“Anything we can do to alleviate the conditions, whether it’s providing water, sunscreen, hats or keeping people cool by getting them off the streets, we are going to do,” says Leland.