With a midweek heat wave bearing down, Haverhill is rolling out a roster of cooling locations from Tuesday through Thursday, offering both daytime relief and an overnight shelter option. The city shared a list of sites and hours for Tuesday (July 14), Wednesday (July 15) and Thursday (July 16), inviting seniors, families and anyone without a cool place to ride out the heat.
The city’s announcement lists four sites and their hours: Common Ground, noon to 5 p.m.; the Community Action Drop-In Center, 8 a.m. to noon; the Haverhill Citizens Center, open until 7:30 p.m. for seniors and families; and "Mitch's Place," which will accept people needing shelter from 3 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. each day. The information was shared on Facebook, according to the City of Haverhill Mayor's Office, which also asks residents to send a direct message to city accounts for more details.
Daytime relief and services
Daytime cooling and wraparound services will be available at Common Ground and the Community Action Drop-In Center, both of which already run weekday meal and assistance programs. Community Action’s Drop-In Center typically operates mornings from 8 a.m. to noon, and Common Ground lists midday service hours that line up with the city’s posted schedule. For information on services and hours, see Community Action, Inc. and the Common Ground Café.
Overnight shelter option
The Facebook notice says "Mitch's Place" will open each afternoon and stay available overnight for people who need a place to sleep in air conditioning, according to the City of Haverhill Mayor's Office. The Haverhill Citizens Center will also stretch its hours to 7:30 p.m. for seniors and families during those days. Residents who need transportation, medication support or other assistance are encouraged to message the city’s social accounts so staff can try to coordinate help.
Who should use the cooling sites
Public health guidance notes that older adults, young children, people with chronic medical conditions and anyone without reliable air conditioning face higher risk during extreme heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For additional locations or statewide help with transportation, call 211 or check the City of Haverhill’s official site at haverhillma.gov for updates and contacts.
What to bring and checking hours
If you plan to head to a cooling site, bring any medications you need, a photo ID if you have one, and bedding or personal supplies if you are staying overnight. Make a plan for pets in advance, since not all locations can accept animals. Before you travel, confirm hours by messaging the city’s social media accounts or contacting the listed organizations directly.
