SALEM, Ore. — As temperatures passed 100 degrees for a second day in Salem, outreach workers prepared for another day on the streets — and in areas well off the beaten path.
"Our unsheltered individuals are more susceptible to the heat-related illnesses because they don't have the ability to just to pop into some place to cool off for 5 or 10 minutes," said Robert Marshall, the grants and development specialist for Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action.
When the heat wave began on July 4, Marshall and his team opened a cooling center and sent people out into the city with bottles of water, Gatorade and cold towels.
In brutal temperatures like these, outreach workers want to help as many unsheltered people as possible. On Saturday, they partnered with the city of Salem, loading up a trailer attached to an ATV so they can travel to people camping in areas that are harder to reach.
The four-wheeler navigated dirt trails in Wallace Marine Park toward tarps and tents peaking out from behind the foliage.
"Good morning," shouted Maggy Johnston. "Guess what? Water!"
When Johnston yelled, people slowly make their way to the path.
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Johnston has worked in outreach for several years, connecting with the homeless while offering access to services. But on Saturday, she was focused on handing out as much water as possible amid the blistering heat.
"I think it's my call, my purpose," she explained. "I think everybody is human and needs to have respect."
Aside from the water, she often asks to spray them down with sunscreen, always ending the conversation with "see you tomorrow."
In the last two days, Marshall said they've connected with 360 people who were unhoused.
Marshall explained that 90 degrees is the trigger for outreach responses like this one. He and Johnston are already prepared for the heat to last into next week.
"When we woke up an hour ago it was so hot in there, I could barely stand it," Mike said. "Sweat was just pouring off me just laying there."
Mike lives in a tent deep within the park. He said it's a fight to stay cool in these kinds of temperatures, and the water they do have doesn't last long.
"One drink of water is one of those bottles ... just 'gulp,' it’s gone," he said.
Nancy also lives outside. She snuggled a small tuxedo cat in her arms as Mike grabbed some water bottles.
"I'm really scared for my pets," Nancy said. "I cool them down, put water on their belly and stuff like that to make sure they get cooled down."
While helping people like Mike and Nancy make it through the next week is the priority, the team is also connecting them with services.
"The basic needs are a crucial emergency response, but we're also focused on those long-term solutions," Marshall said.
It's taxing work, especially when they know not everyone will accept help.
"I cannot save everybody, but I can give love to everybody," Johnston said.