Summer 'White Flag' Initiative Offers Heat Relief to Homeless Individuals

The White Flag Network has announced its plan to serve homeless persons who are medically at-risk due to significant respiratory, cardiac or other disease and who need shelter from the extreme heat this summer.

Persons who are medically at-risk will be evaluated at Horizon Health Center, an office of Wake Health Services Inc., and then given a letter indicating their participation in the MARS (Medically At-Risk in the Summer) Program. The Summer White Flag Program officially runs from June 1 to Sept. 15.

Homeless men who have a MARS letter may go to the South Wilmington Street Center any day through Sept. 15, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., regardless of the day's heat index. Each man will need to present his MARS letter upon arrival.

All homeless women, with or without children, may go to the Women's Center of Wake County between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 15. Women and children -- if they have a MARS letter -- may go to the Raleigh Rescue Mission between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekends or holidays, when the Women's Center is closed. In addition, women without children who have a MARS letter may go to the Helen Wright Center for Women from 4 to 9 p.m. each day to get out of the heat.

On days when the weather may be hazardous to all persons, regardless of their medical condition, additional plans have been made. When the heat index is greater than 100 degrees between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., the South Wilmington Street Center will suspend its normal daytime programming so that all homeless men may receive shelter from the heat. On these days, a white flag will be displayed outside at the center.

The White Flag Network is a group of Raleigh agencies that have collaborated to allow homeless people entrance into their buildings during the daytime, under certain conditions. This year marks the White Flag Network's fifth summer. The network also has a winter version.

If you would like to help with this program, please consider donating bottled water, juice or other non-alcoholic beverages to the Raleigh Rescue Mission, the Helen Wright Center for Women, or the Women's Center of Wake County Inc.

'WHITE FLAG' SITE INFORMATION:

Horizon Health Center
Wake Health Services Inc.
102 N. Tarboro Road
Raleigh, N.C. 27610
919-743-3315

Men only:
South Wilmington Street Center
Wake County Human Services
1420 S. Wilmington St.
Raleigh, N.C. 27603
919-857-9428

Women and Children:
Women's Center of Wake County Inc.
128 E. Hargett St., Suite 10
Raleigh, N.C. 27601
919-829-3711

Raleigh Rescue Mission
314 E. Hargett St.
Raleigh, N.C. 27601
919-828-9014

Women without Children:
Helen Wright Center for Women
The Urban Ministries of Wake County
401 W. Cabarrus St.
Raleigh, N.C. 27601
919-833-1748