Tempe’s resilience hubs provided community support throughout 2024
Daily Independent
Tempe’s network of resilience hubs made a strong impact in 2024, providing vital services to community members and preparing for effective community disruption response.
With the support of the city of Tempe, the Maricopa Department of Public Health and the Arizona Faith Network, Tempe’s resilience hubs have prepared for emergencies, promoted health and wellness and provided direct heat relief support through the summer months, a city release stated.
Transportation and Sustainability Director Eric Iwerson said in the release that Tempe is focused on “future-proofing” the city, building resilience for all circumstances.
“The key element of resilience hubs is we aren’t telling the community what they need, they are telling us what they need and we’re supporting them in all the ways we can,” Iwerson said.
Resilience hubs are versatile community facilities designed to assist Tempeans in their daily lives, respond effectively during emergencies and aid in recovery, according to the release.
They are housed in trusted spaces like community centers, places of worship, or educational institutions, and empower communities to foster well-being, promote resilience, and strengthen social connections.
A resilience hub network consists of multiple community-focused facilities that deliver programming and services year-round and ensure a safe and accessible space to convene during an emergency, like a power outage or heat wave.
While some hubs can offer different response capacities for everyday and emergency use, having an established network can empower communities to be better prepared and resilient in the face of man-made and natural disasters, the release stated.