As New York City heats up, the crisis is real. For people experiencing homelessness, extreme heat can be more than uncomfortable—it can be deadly. 

As the heat rises, so must our response.
Our Solution: Care That Builds Community

This summer, ICL and our partners NCS are rallying our communities to make Cooling Kits available to vulnerable New Yorkers facing extreme heat.
 
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Give the Power to Keep Cool
Every dollar donated helps us keep people safe and comfortable.
Help Pack Cooling Kits
Join us at a Cooling Kit packing event and help deliver the impact of this initiative firsthand.
  • On the Upper East Side on Tuesday, July 7th from 1-2pm
  • In Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday, July 8th from 6-7pm 
 
What’s in a Cooling Kit?
It’s more than a care package—it’s a lifeline packed with essential items that offer comfort, dignity, and relief from extreme heat for people who have limited or no access to shelter or air conditioning. These kits are designed to be portable, practical, and effective. 
 
Each Cooling Kit contains: 
  • Reusable water bottle – to stay hydrated on the go
  • Sunscreen and lip balm – for protection from sunburn
  • Cooling packs – for instant relief in the heat
  • Rechargeable handheld fan – to create airflow where none exists
  • Shelf-stable snack – to nourish and sustain
  • Hygiene towelettes and hand sanitizer – for comfort and cleanliness
  • Street Sheet – with a QR code linking to NYC’s cooling center locations
  • Reusable drawstring bag – to carry it all with dignity
These items don’t just cool people down—they show them they’re seen, cared for, and not alone. 
 
Your donation helps us purchase supplies. Your time helps us assemble and distribute them. Together, we can protect our neighbors from life-threatening heat. 
 

If you have any questions, please contact Allison Marino, Vice President of External Affairs, at amarino@ncsinc.org or (212) 537-5142.