Outreach teams are working throughout Lexington to distribute supplies and help people who are experiencing homelessness beat the heat that is forecast to continue through Friday.
Several places are changing their hours to give people an option of staying indoors. Free transportation to shelters and cooling stations is available on LexTran, through the HopeMobile, or the Catholic Action Center’s Compassionate Caravan.
Police, Fire, E-911 call takers, 311 personnel and other divisions in government will be made aware of the heat-related plans so they can provide this information to residents they encounter who may need these services.
“Our goal is to keep everyone safe,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “People need to limit their time outdoors and drink plenty of water in this extreme heat.”
Homeless service providers are making several changes to help their clients avoid the heat:
- Lighthouse Ministries, 190 Spruce St., will remain open between their lunch and dinner meals. Individuals can access the Lighthouse as an additional cooling station between noon and 6 p.m.
- Arbor Youth Services, 540 W. 3rd St., is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday, for persons ages 18 – 24.
- Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, 1060 Goodwin Dr., is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.
- New Life Day Center, 224 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Monday – Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
- New Vista, 201 Mechanic St., is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday.
- Nathanial Mission, 1109 Versailles Road, is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Lexington Rescue Mission, 444 Glen Arvin Ave., is open Monday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Residents only of The Salvation Army, Hope Center, Catholic Action Center, Arbor Youth Services, and GreenHouse17 will have access to those facilities 24 hours a day.
There are several transportation options to get to one of the shelters or to a shady area:
- LexTran is offering transportation to shelters at no charge to people who are experiencing homelessness.
- Catholic Action Center will operate its Compassionate Caravan from noon – 8 p.m., as needed.
- HopeMobile (operated by Hope Center) provides transportation to shady areas and provides water and other supplies.
- Street Outreach Teams funded by the city’s Office of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention will provide transportation to shady areas, along with water and other supplies.
