Summer Homeless Survival Fund

Progress…

^$30,712

We need your help

Help us help them

Coachella Valley residents know that long-term exposure to summer heat can be dangerous as temperatures consistently reach upwards of 110 degrees and remain high during the night. People experiencing homelessness, including those with medical conditions, are particularly at risk.

The Desert Healthcare Foundation has established a Summer Homeless Survival Fund. Its goal is to raise seed funds through public donations that will help create and operate emergency overnight cooling centers during the summer months in western Coachella Valley. (The eastern valley already has shelters to serve homeless individuals there.)

Donations will be used to help pay for:

Startup costs, such as leasing a facility and paying for a/c and other utilities.
Staff to provide case management support to assist residents in addressing medical needs, moving to permanent housing, securing benefits, and a path to employment.
Staff and security to ensure the cooling center is safe for all.

The Desert Healthcare Foundation is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (c) (3).

Checks also will be accepted.

Please make them out to the Desert Healthcare Foundation and include “Summer Homeless Survival Fund” on the memo line. They can be hand-delivered or mailed to:

Desert Healthcare Foundation
Attn: Summer Homeless Survival Fund
1140 N. Indian Canyon Drive
Palm Springs, CA 92262

The emergency summer shelter program will be implemented and its funds managed by a collaborative of CVAG and local and county governments. For more information about the fund, please contact Chris Christensen, interim CEO for the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation.

The cooling center locations are as follows:

Desert Hot Springs: Word of Life Fellowship Center, 66-290 Estrella (closing Sept. 30, 2019)
Cathedral City: Community Presbyterian Church, 38-088 Chuperosa Lane (closing Sept. 30, 2019)
Palm Springs: 225 S. El Cielo (a city building behind the police station) (open)

NOTES FROM DONORS

"I'm over 90 years old and now unable to help in other ways than my small donations. Please know that your work is much appreciated. I'm so proud that you are making something happen."

"[I] appreciate learning what we citizens living in the Coachella Valley can do to help the homeless in our area. It is a massive problem worldwide. Seriously, a big thank-you to you."

"Make it count!"