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.

Key achievements of resilience hubs in 2024:

Cooling centers at multiple sites

This summer when temperatures soared, Tempe's resilience hubs became lifelines for thousands of community members, providing essential cooling relief and support, according to the release.

With support from Maricopa County Department of Public Health, four faith-based organizations involved in the resilience hub initiative, opened their doors this 2024 heat season and operated as cooling centers. The Arizona Faith Network supported staffing these sites.

Community members made 7,029 visits across the four sites from May 1 through Sept. 30. Resilience hub cooling centers handed out more than 21,000 water bottles and 1,000 snacks. They supported more than 500 pets and helped coordinate emergency services when necessary.

Number of visits by people in need at each site:

• The Church of the Epiphany: 2,737
• University Presbyterian Church: 2,726
• Tempe Church of Christ: 668
• Community Christian Church: 898

Wellness, Mobility and Learning for Our Community - King of Glory Resilience Hub

• King of Glory used grant funds from the city to start a new performing arts academy for children after school. Focus areas include guitar workshops, musical theatre/drama workshops, sounds abound and homework assistance. 
• They also started a new four-part health and wellness workshop series in partnership with Arizona State University. Topics include techniques to manage stress, mindfulness and more.

Resiliency Garden - Desert Palm Resilience Hub

• Desert Palm used grant funds from the city to purchase four raised garden beds for the community to learn about gardening and grow flowers and veggies — all while socializing with others in the community. 
• Desert Palm hosted their first resilience hub event on Nov. 16 where the community joined to share insights on the future of the hub, conduct asset mapping, plant in the garden and enjoy fresh locally grown produce.

Strengthening Community Resilience in Emergency Preparedness - Dayspring Resilience Hub

• Dayspring used grant funding from the city for essential training sessions, procurement of emergency equipment, and stocking up on necessary emergency supplies. The primary objective is to improve emergency preparedness and response capabilities within our community.
• This included a CPR/AED/First Aid training class in September where 34 people in the community were CPR certified.

Community Patio and Play Area - Tempe Church Community Resilience Hub

• Tempe Church used grant funding from the city to redesign the front landscape to create a multifaceted communal space that will include a shaded public seating area, pollinator garden and a grassy area for play or community event space. 
• The grant funds will also fund a bin with sports supplies for field play. Funding will go towards purchasing two large trees for the space — helping with urban cooling initiatives.

By leveraging the power of community partnerships, Tempe's resilience hubs have demonstrated their willingness to help create a more resilient Tempe before and after disruptions, the release stated. 

While many resilience hubs are located at faith centers, they are not exclusive to them, and any trusted community space can be a part of the Tempe Resilience Hub Network. 

If you are interested in becoming a resilience hub or joining the Resilience Hub Network, you can fill out the resilience hub interest form and someone from the city’s Sustainability and Resilience Division will be in contact.