Chapman Partnership’s Summer Efforts

At Chapman Partnership, we're committed to providing basic needs like food and shelter all year long. But when the hot Miami summer hits, we step up our game to ensure our community, and the 500 people in our Miami Center and 300 in our Homestead Center, stay hydrated and cool.

During the school year, our kids are in class, but come summer, it's all about Camp Chapman! We keep our children engaged and active with fun activities, field trips, and exciting adventures. Our meal service program is even more crucial during this time, as we provide extra meals for our Camp Chapman kids and make sure they enjoy nutritious meals during their outings.

We don't just focus on the kids in the summer; we also ramp up our efforts to support adults and families. For this post, we talked to our Vice President of Operations and Programming, Kavaja Sarduy, about the unique challenges we face and the efforts we make during the summer months.

Challenges for Individuals Facing Homelessness in Miami During Summer

• Extreme Heat: Miami's summer temperatures can be dangerously high, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Hurricanes and Storms: Summer is also hurricane season, which means severe weather, flooding, and displacement risks. We've seen more people experiencing homelessness due to these conditions.
• Health Issues: There's a higher risk of dehydration, sunburn, and other heat-related illnesses.
• Lack of Resources: Access to clean water, cooling centers, and medical care can be limited.

How We Adapt Our Services

To tackle these challenges, Chapman Partnership adapts its shelter services by:

• Providing Climate-Controlled Environments: Ensuring that shelters are air-conditioned, and clients can escape the heat.
• Offering Hydration Stations: Making water readily available to prevent dehydration.
• Health Screenings and Medical Services: Conducting regular health checks through Jackson Hope Clinic and offering medical services to treat and prevent heat-related illnesses.
• Disaster Preparedness: Implementing a hurricane preparedness plan focused on providing safe shelter during severe weather events.

Summer Programs and Initiatives

During the summer, we also roll out several specific programs and initiatives to support our clients:

• Summer Cooling Centers: Setting up additional cooling centers where individuals can escape the heat and access basic amenities, including fans for open patio areas.
• Essential Items: Ensuring clients have full access to water, ice, sunscreen, hats, and other protective items.
• Health and Wellness Programs: Providing information throughout our centers on staying healthy during the summer, including hydration tips and heat safety education.
• Emergency Weather Response: Activating protocols for extreme weather conditions, ensuring individuals are brought to safety and have access to necessary supplies.

Community Collaboration

Chapman Partnership works closely with various community partners, including the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust and local authorities, to enhance resources and assistance during the summer by:

• Partnerships with Health Providers: Working with Jackson Health Hope Clinic to provide medical care and health screenings.
• Coordination with Emergency Services: Collaborating with the Homeless Trust and Office of Emergency Management to ensure readiness for hurricanes and other severe weather events.

How You Can Help

The community can support Chapman Partnership’s efforts in several ways:

• Donations: Contributing funds to support summer programs and emergency preparedness efforts.
• Volunteering: Offering time and skills to assist with disaster response initiatives.
• Donating Supplies: Providing items such as bottled water, ice, neck coolers, outside cooling fans, sunscreen, hats, lightweight clothing, and hygiene kits.
• Raising Awareness: Promoting Chapman Partnership’s initiatives on social media and within personal networks to increase community involvement and support.

By adapting to the challenges of Miami’s summer and with the help of our community, Chapman Partnership continues to provide essential support to those experiencing homelessness.

Writer: Najely M. Deleon

Email: ndeleon@chapmanpartnership.org

LinkedIn: Najely Deleon - Development Coordinator - Chapman Partnership | LinkedIn