A new homeless day program has been serving as a cooling center for individuals to relax and get out of record high temperatures while also offering a variety of housing and social services.

In April, the Turlock City Council approved a contract with We Care Program of Turlock to operate a day center for homeless individuals starting June 1 as a six-month pilot program.

The center is located at 275 Third St. and can be accessed through the United Samaritans Foundation parking lot on 220 S. Broadway. It is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Anyone 18 and older is welcome to use the center, which features an air-conditioned space with restrooms, TV, water and coffee. There is also a housing manager who can help those in need of shelter, as well as a social services case worker from La Familia. Once a month, a physician from Community Health Centers of America comes to provide free medical access.

Individuals do not need to be part of the We Care program to use the facility.

“We are delighted to join with We Care to create this new navigation center,” said Turlock City Manager Reagan Wilson. “Our goal is to help people access all needed services and job opportunities. Over the next few months, we will evaluate the impact and explore ways to make it better.”

According to the City of Turlock, there have been over 400 individuals who have taken advantage of the space since it first opened on June 7.

“The success of this program is already higher than anticipated,” said Maris Sturtevant, executive director of the We Care Program. “The center creates a safe place for people to use the restrooms and rest during the day that is not the streets and sidewalks. Already, we are seeing clients using this time to connect to new jobs, resources and housing. The dedicated staff has helped community members by providing someplace to be and someone to talk to who wants to help.”

Jeffrey Lewis, president and CEO of Legacy Health Endowment in Turlock, praised the partnership that led to the center.

“The City of Turlock keeps moving forward to ensure that any resident who needs a place to cool or get warm has somewhere to go,” he said. “Along with We Care, this ongoing commitment to ensure residents are protected from the heat and the cold underscores a commitment to humanity.”

For more information on the cooling center and its resources, contact Sturtevant at maris@wecareturlock.org or by calling (209) 664-2003.