The Family Heat Relief and Recovery Night is designed to fill the critical gap in services for unhoused and housing-insecure families during Mesa's extreme summer heat.

Starting Sunday, June 7th, we are expanding operations to Sunday night from 5pm - 8pm to accommodate the anticipated spike in need for families. (June 7th - September 27th)

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• Goal: Providing a dignified environment for families to access hydration, cooling, showers, and long-term recovery resources.

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• Focus: Short-term intervention and data collection to help bridge systemic gaps for families in the Mesa area system.

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​Volunteer & Advocate: We need volunteers for Sunday nights between 4pm -9pm | June 7th - September 27th. Any amount of time if appreciated, one hours, two, etc. 

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What to expect:

1. The Environment

• Safe & Dignified: You’ll be working in a trauma-informed environment. We prioritize the privacy and dignity of every family coming through our doors.

• Indoor/Outdoor Hybrid: Expect to move between indoor cooling zones and outdoor intake or shower areas. Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and closed-toe shoes.

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2. Shift Responsibilities

• Hospitality & Intake: Greeting families as they arrive, helping them check in, and providing immediate hydration and cooling towels.

• Resource Navigation: Helping parents fill out forms for housing assistance or connecting them with Mesa Public School liaisons.

• Family Support: Managing the "Kid Zone"—a safe space for children to play or do activities while parents speak with recovery specialists.

• Shower & Laundry Coordination: Managing the sign-up flow for the showers and providing families with "Fresh Start" hygiene kits.

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3. Timeline of a Summer Night

• 4:30 PM | Volunteer Briefing: A quick huddle to review the night’s goals, safety protocols, and any specific family needs.

• 5:00 PM | Doors Open: Families arrive to escape the peak evening heat.

• 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Active Service: This is the busiest window for showers, snacks, and resource meetings.

• 8:00 PM | Transition & Closing: Assisting families who are moving to emergency hotel stays for the night and starting the clean-up process.

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4. What We Provide

• Orientation: Brief onsite training on heat safety and how to interact with families in crisis.

• Support: You will always be paired with an experienced lead or board member.

• Supplies: All gloves, cleaning supplies, and volunteer badges are provided.

• Training and Background Checks: All volunteers must be 18 years or older. We utilize Safe Gatherings for our vetting process, which includes a quick online training module and a comprehensive background check to ensure the safety of the families and children in our care.

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​Connect With Us
Please, if you have any questions, collaborations, or ideas, feel free to email us at: friendsatfirstmesa@gmail.com or text Nadeen Hathaway at 480.489.1370

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