MAYOR MIKE SPANO TO OPEN COOLING CENTERS CITYWIDE STARTING JUNE 23.
With Unified Support from Yonkers Public Schools and Yonkers Public Libraries, Community Comes Together to Provide Relief for Residents.
Yonkers, NY — June 20, 2025 — In response to the ongoing heat wave sweeping across the region, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced a citywide initiative to provide relief for residents facing extreme temperatures starting Monday, June 23. As part of the city's emergency response, designated Cooling Centers will be activated across Yonkers to offer safe, air-conditioned spaces for community members in need.
“We are committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents—especially our most vulnerable,” said Mayor Spano. “By partnering with the Yonkers Public Schools District and the Yonkers Public Libraries, we’re able to extend resources where they’re most needed and ensure no one is left without a place to stay cool.”
To bolster the effort, the Yonkers Public School District will implement half-day schedules for the duration of the heat advisory. Select school buildings, alongside Yonkers Public Library branches, will remain open throughout the afternoon and early evening as official Cooling Centers, ensuring that students, families, and senior residents have access to a refuge from the heat.
“We’re proud to open our schools across every corner of the city so families have a safe, cool place nearby,” said Superintendent of Schools, Aníbal Soler, Jr. “This is what community is about – stepping up, being there for each other, and using every resource we have to support our neighbors. Each site will provide water and a cool space to rest – a simple but important way to help during the upcoming heatwave. I thank Mayor Spano and the City for their partnership in making this possible.”
Yonkers Public Library Director, Jesse Montero added, "Yonkers Public Library strives to provide safe, comfortable, healthy spaces for all Yonkers residents. We're proud to serve as cooling centers during heatwaves and encourage anyone to stop by and cool off."
Each Cooling Center will be equipped with seating, water and air conditioning. The following locations will be open as Cooling Centers during specified hours for all residents:
Yonkers Public Schools
All listed schools will be open from Monday, June 23, through Friday, June 27, from 12:30PM to 3:00PM.
Yonkers Montessori Academy (Cafeteria)
Hyatt Place & Scott Avenue
Paideia School 15 (Cafeteria)
Scarsdale Road and Manhattan Avenue
School 23 (Library)
56 Van Cortlandt Park Ave
William Boyce Thompson (Library)
1061 N. Broadway
Justice Sonia Sotomayor Community School (Cafeteria)
121 McLean Avenue
Roosevelt High School – Early College Studies (Library)
631 Tuckahoe RoadMartin Luther King, Jr. Academy (Cafeteria)
135 Locust Hill Aven
Riverside High School (Cafeteria
565 Warburton Aven
Yonkers Public Libraries
Riverfront Libra
1 Larkin Cent
Monday-Wednesday: 9AM-8
Will Library
1500 Central Park Avenue
Monday-Wednesday: 9AM-8
Crestwood Library
16 Thompson Street
Monday & Wednesday: 10AM-5PM
Tuesday: 12PM-8PM
To ensure safety, the Mayor is also advising of heat safety precautions residents should take during periods of extreme heat:
If you have air conditioning already installed, make sure it works properly before use.
Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate them if necessary. Check your home's air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
Install temporary window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, between windows and drapes to reflect heat back outside.
Install weather stripping on your home's doors and windowsills to keep cool air in and hot air out.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers, which can reduce the heat entering a home by up to 80 percent.
Keep storm windows in place year-round.
If you don't have air conditioning, open your windows during the coolest part of the day and keep fresh air moving around your home with circulating fans.
Drink plenty of cool non-alcoholic liquids, especially water.
Protect your face and head with a wide-brimmed hat, and wear light-colored clothing to reflect sunlight (dark clothing more readily absorbs sunlight).
Keep pets indoors and refill their water bowls frequently.
For more information on Yonkers Cooling Centers or for any additional assistance, please call the Mayor’s 24/7 Help Line at (914) 377-HELP.