Articles

We're facing extreme temperatures this summer. This heat can especially impact older adults. Things that can help are staying hydrated with water, staying cool in an air-conditioned area, and wearing lightweight clothing. The State of Michigan has a website dedicated to valuable information regarding extreme weather at https://www.michigan.gov/miready. Below you will also find a list of cooling centers in our area:

• Grand Rapids Public Library
  • All GRPL locations continue to be open to everyone during normal business hours, which can be found here.
• Kent District Library
  • All KDL locations will be available as cooling centers during normal business hours. View hours and locations here: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/locations
• Exodus Place (322 Front Ave SW)
  • The facility will be open from 8:00am - 8:00pm to non-members during days of extreme heat. 
• Mel Trotter (Locations at 225 Commerce Ave SW & 200 S Division)
  • Cooling center hours are 7AM to 3PM daily.
  • Emergency shelter hours are 3PM to 7AM daily. Guests will be allowed into shelter as they need.
  • They will accept all people who are experiencing homelessness needing cool shelter even those on the “No Service” list. 
• Degage Ministries (144 Division Ave S)
  • The community center will remain open from 7:00am-7:00pm and will operate as a cooling center if it is above 90 degrees. 
• Crossroads Bible Church (800 Scribner Ave NW)
  • Open on Tuesdays from 10:00am-noon for a meal and access to the Mel Trotter shower unit. Social workers, recovery coaches, and medical staff are also on site.