Cooling Center
This summer, FOCUS Cincinnati is proud to launch the first-ever Cooling Center in Norwood to provide a safe and welcoming space for our neighbors in need during the extremely hot hours of the day. Here’s everything you need to know about this vital program, below.
What Is a Cooling Center?
A cooling center offers refuge from extreme heat, ensuring the safety and well-being of those without reliable access to air conditioning. Our center will:
- Open when temperatures raise to 90°F or above, following Cincinnati’s standards.
- Operate for fifteen consecutive days during the hottest hours of the day.
- Be open daily from 2 PM to 6 PM, providing a safe, cool environment with meals and relaxation.
- Partner with Shelter House to arrange overnight accommodations for guests who need them.
- Be located at Christ Temple FGB Church, 2141 Williams Avenue, Norwood, OH.
Why Does Norwood Need a Cooling Center?
Norwood faces significant challenges tied to life expectancy and food insecurity:
- In 2023, up to 207 people died in Cincinnati from heat related illnesses. One-third occurred inside homes, and almost half happened outdoors.
- Food insecurity is a major predictor of life expectancy. Our shelter will provide a daily meal to combat this issue.
- Norwood lacks an established place for residents to seek cool temperatures when their air conditioning fails or when living unhoused during the hot summer.
- Public spaces, like the Norwood Library, report seeing up to 10 people daily seeking refuge from the heat, further highlighting the need for a dedicated center.
- Beyond the library, there are no other alternative public spaces for people to remain cool.
How Does the Cooling Center Work?
Through a partnership with Christ Temple FGB Church, we will offer:
- A safe, cool environment for guests from 2 PM to 6 PM.
- Three meals per day, prepared and served on-site.
- Entertainment, including access to TV, to help guests relax and feel comfortable.
- Paid security staff to ensure safety for everyone.
- The Cooling Center cannot run without volunteers. We are fortunate to have volunteers from Christ Temple FGB Church, Christ the Savior, and Holy Trinity-Saint Nicholas. Below are instructions for how you can volunteer.
How Long Will the Center Be Open?
Our current funding allows us to operate for at least 15 days this summer.
- Weather in Cincinnati can be unpredictable. If additional hot days occur, we will evaluate extending our services.
- This is a pilot program, and we’ll assess its success and make improvements in collaboration with local experts, including Strategies to End Homelessness and shelter leaders from Cincinnati.
How You Can Help?
The success of this center depends on the dedication of our community. We are actively seeking volunteers to:
- Assist with meal preparation and serving.
- Help create a welcoming environment for our guests.
- Provide logistical and operational support.
Please click the button below to fill out our volunteer interest form.
Local Partners
Holy Trinity-Saint Nicholas
Provided dinner meals for each of our dinners along with kitchen use for the Cooling Center. At the center there are no ovens, so using the ovens at HTSN has been a crucial link in providing hot food at the Center. www.htsnchurch.org
Panera Bread
We receive weekly donations from Panera on Tuesdays. We have been using the bagels, bread and other bakery items at the Cooling Center.
LaSoupe
LaSoupe is a non-profit that supplies schools, shelters, and other non-profits with free meals. They have a variety of programs that are around healthy eating. Right now they are providing lunches that have a protein, starch, salad and dessert to the Cooling Center each day it is open. www.lasoupe.org
