Providing Sun Protection
to the
Unsheltered
Our
Mission
Our mission is to provide sun protection to unsheltered individuals in cities experiencing extreme heat, beginning in Las Vegas, Nevada.
By distributing hats, umbrellas, and other protective items, we seek to:
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reduce the harmful health effects of prolonged sun exposure
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promote public awareness of heat-related risks
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foster community involvement in caring for vulnerable populations
Our goal is to help create cities where all individuals, including those living unsheltered, are protected from the dangers of extreme heat and prolonged sun exposure.
Urban areas are experiencing longer and hotter weather
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Extreme heat is the greatest weather-related cause of death in the United States
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Recent years are among the hottest recorded in the U.S.
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Cities like Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Dallas frequently top the temperature charts.
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Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense, impacting urban areas significantly.
Unsheltered populations are at high risk in
extreme heat
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People experiencing homelessness are disproportionately impacted by heat.
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Unhoused populations are sensitive to heat due to higher rates of underlying physical and mental health conditions.
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Unhoused residents often stay in places where they are less likely to be relocated, but these locations tend to have less access to shade and water.
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Effects of extreme heat and sun exposure include:
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Increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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Higher likelihood of dehydration.
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Skin damage and heightened risk of skin cancer.
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Las Vegas:
An Urban
Case Study
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Las Vegas is known for its oppressively hot, dry climate with multiple weeks per year exceeding 100°F.
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Las Vegas is the second-fastest warming city in the United States, with an overall 5.9°F increase in annual average temperature from 1970 to 2024
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~ 7,900 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in Clark County (2024).
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In 2024, 147 individuals who were experiencing homelessness passed away due to heat-associated causes.
The Need
Sun Relief for the Unsheltered
Shade from hats and umbrellas can relieve some of the negative effects of extreme heat and sun exposure
Wide Brimmed Hats
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Blocks direct sun exposure to the scalp, face, and neck, reducing the risk of skin cancer and other sun-related issues.
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Helps keep the head cool by blocking heat from the sun.
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Reduces glare, improving visibility.
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Portable and reusable sun protection.
Immediate Relief:
Shade can significantly lower body temperature and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses.
Skin Health:
Reduces sunburn and skin damage from prolonged sun exposure.
Portable Solutions:
Umbrellas and hats are lightweight and easy to transport.
Cost-Effective:
Umbrellas and hats are relatively inexpensive compared to other forms of assistance.
User Adherence:
Umbrellas and hats are forms of sun protection more likely to be used regularly versus sunscreen application.
Umbrellas
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UV umbrellas can block over 90% of harmful UV rays.
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By providing shade and keeping direct sunlight at bay, the area under the umbrella canopy can be up to 15F cooler, helping to reduce the risk of overheating.
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Portable sun protection and easy to operate.