Most mornings I take a quick walk around my Tempe neighborhood. One morning in January, I was walking down a quiet side street when I noticed what looked like a pile of stuff under a tarp. That spot is usually where people leave old furniture or trash, so I didn’t think much of it at first. But as I got closer, I realized—it wasn’t trash. It was a person.
I thought, what should I do?
I've gotten used to seeing people waking up and packing their things, but lately, I’ve seen more and more. Twice last week, I saw an older man having breakfast while sitting on his bike. He had a small trailer attached to it, probably holding everything he owns. I asked myself, what can I do to help him?
Not long ago, a neighbor stopped me during my walk. He was out with his dog and said, “I’ve noticed more people sleeping around the neighborhood. I care, and I don’t want to call the police, but I don’t know what else to do—so I end up doing nothing.”
His words really stuck with me. We live in a kind and compassionate community, but I know many people are wondering the same thing: What can I do?
This question feels even more urgent now that we've already hit 100 degrees—and it’s still spring.
Did you know that many seniors keep their air conditioning off because they can’t afford the electric bill? Our Meals on Wheels drivers often notice when a senior’s home is too hot. They let the Program Manager know so we can follow up and help. Last summer, some seniors went to cooling centers during the day just so they didn’t have to turn on the A/C at home.
And what about people living outside? How do they stay safe in this extreme heat?
The good news: you are doing something just by reading this. You care enough to be informed, and that’s a powerful first step.
A friend recently shared a quote from a second-grade teacher. The teacher told her class,
“If it feels hard to do, it just means the first step isn’t small enough.”
That’s great advice. You don’t have to solve everything—just take one small step, then another.
Ready to take the next step? Here’s how to get started:
Sign up for TCAA’s Volunteer Orientation
Sign up for a Tour
Follow and share our social media posts
Learn more about the Heat Relief Network in the Valley.
