A Rogers day shelter is giving people experiencing homelessness a safe place to cool off and access essential services as extreme summer heat settles across Northwest Arkansas.

WayStation Services

WayStation, operated by the nonprofit Micah 6:8 Initiative, serves people in Benton County who are experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Although WayStation is not a temporary cooling center, its air-conditioned building provides critical relief during periods of extreme heat. Guests can receive a meal, take a shower, wash their clothes, use the restroom and connect with resources intended to help them find greater stability.

Guest services coordinator Paul Edmonds said, “We provide services to the homeless just to get out of the weather: heat, cold, stuff like that. It’s just a place for the homeless to come, get out of the weather and stay off the streets.”

Community Support

WayStation relies on community donations to continue providing its daily services. Edmonds said bottled water is one of the center’s ongoing needs, particularly during the summer.

The center also needs donated food to prepare its daily meals. Canned goods, nonperishable food, proteins and individually packaged snacks can help supply both the kitchen and the overnight bags. Clothing and other basic necessities are also accepted.

Volunteers are needed to help support the center’s daily operations. Tasks include serving guests and helping maintain the facility by cleaning floors, restrooms and outdoor areas.

Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.