How one nonprofit behind Charleston’s cooling centers changes lives in a heat wave

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – The heat index hit triple digits in Charleston on Monday, making the city difficult to bear for those without a home or without functioning air conditioning. Though one nonprofit behind one of the cooling centers has been a source of security for people in need for years, including during extreme heat.

Charleston resident Sylvester Harris, for example, said he was in an entirely different situation one year ago.

“I didn’t think I was going to make it doing what I was going through last year. I was about to lose my fingers and my toes and my leg all at one time,” Harris said.

Sometimes, life gives second chances. In Harris’ case, he said he found the support he longed for at Bream’s Neighborhood Shop .

“This church basically saved my life, so I just kept on coming. Well, far as clothes, food, mental help, you know what I’m saying,” Harris said. “Basically, Derek the supervisor here took me under his wing, just like a father or brother. I mean I’ve just been coming here ever since. Get a shower, get some food in your stomach. It’s like a second chance for me to get on my feet. So, if y’all got a problem out there, come to Bream. We’re right here on the West Side.”

Harris is now a regular at the Shop, which is open to people needing support Monday through Friday on a regular basis. Though, Harris is not alone. Hundreds of people rely on the Shop weekly, including during this week’s extreme heat.

Their executive director, the leader behind daily operations, for the warming and cooling centers and outreach is Derek Hudson. He said helping people during the heat is one aspect of the nonprofit’s overall goal.

“We’re seeing people who’ve lost power. There’s a lot of businesses over the weekend last night that lost power. No AC, a lot of people just on the streets getting heat exhaustion. We’re trying to avoid anything like that,” Hudson said.

The Shop’s cooling center, similar to others in town like at the Kanawha Valley Collective, goes beyond meeting basic needs and aims to lift people up.

“I think it’s just important to be there for your neighbor and be there of people in your community, do what you want others to do for you, and it’s just good to give back,” Hudson said. “It’s hot. So, we can be there, be a calming voice, be a welcoming face to people, just give them something to talk about. Have some conversations, some lunch, some food, some drink.”

Harris said he credits where he’s at today to the Shop’s leadership.

“Even my real family don’t treat me like they do when I come over here. That’s part of life I guess that I’ll have to go through and have to deal with, you know what I’m saying. So, I’ll probably will never stop coming to Bream because they came through for a brother. If it weren’t for Bream and another church, I met a lady here downtown St. Anthony’s, then I’d probably be dead,” Harris said.

Harris even shared a rap he wrote with 13 News about life in the 304 and about the Shop.

“304, wake up wake up wake up wake up wake up. Just last week, we had a good thing going. The money was flowing. Where the money at? Where the money at? Where the money at? Where the money at? Check your style 304. Get legal money. Wake up, wash your face, brush your teeth, comb your hair, tend your clothes, eat breakfast, grab your bookbag, catch the bus and go to school. Wake up, wake up, wake up,” Harris said.

The Shop’s cooling center will be open on Tuesday until 7 p.m. For anyone who is unable to leave their environment and travel to a cooling center, United Way’s hotline number “ 211 ” is available 24 hours a day for people in need.

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