Tucson’s Ward 6 office is now home to the city’s first low-barrier resource center.
Called the R.O.S.E. Center – an acronym for “resources, outreach, showers and education” – the space was originally set up as a cooling center in May, but as the office saw more than 2,200 people throughout its first summer, they decided to continue with a new structure.
R.O.S.E. is a low-barrier resource center, meaning there are no sobriety or ID requirements. The center is also pet-friendly and has no restrictions on belongings.
“It's been clear that this works and that we're able to help a ton more people, people that didn't have that usually wouldn't have access to these same services, whether it be because they are under the influence or using substances or have a pet or don't have an ID,” said program director Victoria DeVasto, who created both programs for Ward 6.
Apart from free, on-site showers, visitors will be able to connect with two service providers per day, who will provide ID assistance, medical care, housing and shelter support, detox and recovery services and more.
“The idea is to have life skills and mental health support as well as identification, housing, shelter – all sorts of things that people really need, and have that wrap-around care actually provided on-site, instead of people having to go all these different places and get referrals,” DeVasto said.
DeVasto hopes the initiative could be a stepping stone toward more centralized, “all-hands-on-deck” type locations for services and support around Tucson.
“The goal is basically to have the similar success that we had over the summer, and then have it be replicated throughout the city,” she said. “Whether that be other ward offices or different city programs or different agencies.”
The R.O.S.E. Center is located at 3202 East 1st Street. It’s open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. It will transform back to a cooling center in May 2027.
