Community Outreach
LARC-HEAT 2025 Evaluation Report
Read our most recent evaluation report to learn more about our heat ambassador outreach, extreme heat campaign, outcomes and metrics.
Heat in Los Angeles
Extreme heat is a deadly threat in Los Angeles County— projections show a tenfold increase in the annual number of heat waves by mid-century. As wildfires and irregular weather blaze through our cities, the effects of climate change worsens. Extreme heat is exacerbated by urban heat islands, increasing the risk for heat-related illness in vulnerable residents. These groups include children, older adults, pregnant people, outdoor workers, and people experiencing homelessness, among others.
It is important to stay prepared for extreme heat through actionable heat safety tips, affordably cooling your home, and checking in on your loved ones. The LARC team is actively works with community health workers and partners to distribute resources to LA communities.
LARC’s heat awareness ad outside LAX (Photo courtesy of JCDecaux).
RRGP Heat Ambassadors
LARC-HEAT is a comprehensive extreme heat education and outreach project. In addition to educational resources formatted for social media, the project is training and supporting hundreds of community health workers on extreme heat safety and prevention. These "Heat Ambassadors" from more than a dozen community-based organizations conduct door-to-door canvassing and attend outreach events across the Los Angeles region. Together they provide thousands of heat-burdened households with actionable resources to stay safe on high-heat days, including reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and fans.
This 30-month project aims to empower local communities by meeting people where they are located and helping Los Angeles stay HeatSafe.LA! For more information about our heat ambassadors, read the press release linked below.
LARC has many available materials for public distribution— you may find them whether a community health worker knocks on your door or you see LARC staff at a tabling event!
From sun umbrellas to collapsible dog bowls, the items serve to protect Los Angeles County from the heat. These resources are especially useful for more heat-vulnerable residents, such as those living in warmer areas or those with pre-existing health concerns.
Outreach Materials
Flyers with information about heat-related illnesses and ways to cool down your home, available in both English and Spanish.
Holders with free Metro Tap cards for heat-vulnerable residents to find a cool spot.
Door hangers that include HeatSafeLA reminders and checklist.
Find our heat merch in the wild, such as at Earth Day events!
Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Regional Resilience Grant Program
In July 2024, the CA Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation awarded a $3 million grant to support a comprehensive outreach program called Los Angeles Regional Collaborative: Heat Education, Ambassadors, and Training (LARC-HEAT).
LARC-HEAT will be implemented by the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability (LARC), the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, Rising Communities, and LA County Department of Public Health. The program mobilizes community health workers to complete heat education trainings and reach heat-vulnerable communities with resources. Combined with a social media awareness campaign, this program will create public knowledge of staying safe in extreme heat.
Project Partners
