As much of the Portland area sat under a heat advisory on Tuesday, The Father's Heart day center in Oregon City flipped into cooling-shelter mode, welcoming anyone who needed a break from the heat. Staff and volunteers offered air-conditioned space, a place to rest and light services for people without access to cooling at home. Organizers said the site would remain open through 8 p.m. that evening.
Shelter Hours and Services
According to Clackamas County, The Father's Heart at 603 12th Street was listed as a cooling center Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. The county notes that the site accepts service animals and is accessible by TriMet route #32, making it a reachable option for people traveling by bus.
Dinner and Volunteering
In a June 23 Facebook post, Clackamas County said dinner would be served at 5:30 p.m. at the cooling site and encouraged community members to pitch in that evening. People interested in helping out were directed to sign up through SignUp.com.
Heat Advisory Spurred Openings
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for parts of the Portland metro area, which set local governments into response mode and triggered additional cooling options. As OPB and other local outlets reported, counties coordinated extra sites for people at greatest risk of heat-related illness.
What The Father's Heart Provides
According to The Father's Heart, the day shelter typically offers meals, showers, a clothing exchange and referrals. In hot weather, it also activates as a cooling center to help prevent heat exhaustion, and the ministry notes it can serve as a refuge from smoke on poor air-quality days as well.
Find Help or Sign Up
Anyone needing a cool place to be can call 2-1-1 or use the 211info shelter locator for current listings and transit details.
Per Clackamas County, the decision to operate The Father's Heart as an overnight shelter is made by 11 a.m. each day and then posted on the county website. Neighbors who want to volunteer are directed to the same SignUp.com form highlighted in the county's post.
Officials are urging residents to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day and keep an eye on county pages or National Weather Service updates for changing heat-risk conditions. For current guidance and more cooling options, residents can use the resources linked above.
