100+ Degrees - The Deadliest Weather is Here
About ten years ago, my family made the same mistake thousands of others make every year—we took our young kids to Disney World in the middle of the summer.
Our daughter was still little enough that she couldn't walk very far on her own, so she spent most of the day bouncing between her stroller and my shoulders. Between the relentless Florida sun, the heat radiating off the pavement, and miles of walking, I eventually hit my limit. I remember getting to the point where I could barely see through the sweat running into my eyes.
Comedian Jim Gaffigan jokes that the best ride at Disney World is the air-conditioned bus back to the hotel. After that trip, I had to admit he might be right.
I found myself wandering into every air-conditioned gift shop we passed, not because I wanted to buy souvenirs, but because I just needed a few minutes to cool down.
The difference, of course, is that I chose to be there. I knew we’d return to a cool hotel room that evening, where I could jump in a pool, take a shower, drink something cold, and get a good night’s sleep.
Our neighbors experiencing homelessness don’t have that option.
Today, temperatures in New York City and New Jersey are expected to reach 101 degrees. The 'feels like' temperature will hover around 110. For most of us, that means staying inside or changing our plans. For someone living outdoors, it can become a matter of life and death.
When people think about the dangers of homelessness, they usually picture winter. But extreme heat is actually the deadliest weather-related hazard in the United States. In 2023 alone, more than 2,300 Americans died from heat-related causes.
For someone living outside, the risks multiply. Concrete and asphalt become even hotter than the air. Shade is hard to find. Cold water isn’t always available. Many people already live with health conditions or take medications that make extreme heat even more dangerous. Heat exhaustion can quickly become heat stroke—a life-threatening emergency.
That’s why City Relief continues showing up, even on days like today.
We provide shade under our canopies, cold drinks, fresh fruit, nutritious food, and hygiene supplies. Our guests can also connect with partners like the Bellevue Hospital Street Medicine team, access transportation to cooling centers, and receive help before a dangerous situation becomes a tragedy.
These may seem like small acts of kindness, but on a day like today, they can save lives.
As you go about your day, I hope you’ll remember those who can’t simply walk into an air-conditioned restaurant or hotel lobby. If you see someone enduring the heat, consider offering them a cold bottle of water—or even a gift card to a nearby coffee shop or fast-food restaurant so they can buy an hour or two of relief (pun intended).
If you'd like to do even more, I'd love to invite you to join our LemonAID campaign.
Learn More About LemonAID & Donate Today
Families, churches, neighborhoods, and businesses are hosting lemonade stands to help City Relief provide cold drinks, nutritious food, hygiene kits, transportation, and compassionate outreach throughout the summer.
If you’re already supporting our work, thank you. If you’re able to increase your support, or host a LemonAID stand, you’ll help ensure someone facing 101-degree heat knows they haven’t been forgotten.
Ten years ago, I spent one day longing for the relief of an air-conditioned gift shop and the bus ride back to my hotel.
Today, hundreds of thousands of our neighbors are longing for a patch of shade, a cold bottle of water, and someone who notices them.
Let’s make sure they don’t face this heat alone.
I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country. May we continue building a nation where we use our freedom, compassion, and abundance to care for our neighbors, especially those who need it most.
With gratitude,
Josiah Haken
City Relief, CEO
