SHELTER WILL OPEN ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
Inclement Weather Shelter Volunteer Sign-Up
Thank you for helping us extend radical hospitality to our unsheltered neighbors during freezing weather. Oak Lawn UMC opens as an Inclement Weather Shelter whenever temperatures drop to dangerous levels, providing a warm, safe place to rest, hot meals, and compassionate care.
Important:
You must be trained before serving on any shelter shift. This ensures all volunteers are equipped with safety procedures, hospitality practices, and shelter protocols.
If you have not been trained, please attend one of the listed sessions before signing up. If you are unsure about your training status or have questions, email office@olumc.org.
Thank you for showing up for our neighbors and helping create a safe, welcoming space during the coldest nights of the year.
Registration & Training Requirement:
You must complete a training registration here. Once you sign up for a shift, you will be matched to a station at shelter based on your preference. Training opportunities are listed on the form.
Note: Photos of our guests, volunteers, and community members have been intentionally removed to protect their privacy and safety. In today’s political climate, we remain committed to safeguarding the anonymity of all who seek help and connection through Dallas Responds. We do this not out of fear, but out of deep care and respect for those we serve.
💛 You are seen. You are valued. You are loved.
Mission Statement:
At Dallas Responds, we amplify God’s love through radical hospitality, serving our neighbors, and standing up for justice.
Rooted in the life and ministry of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, we believe every person deserves to be seen, known, and cared for — especially those living on the margins of our city.
Serving with Compassion and Dignity:
Inspired by the words of Jesus in Matthew 25 —
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…”
Dallas Responds embodies the Gospel through tangible acts of care and community. As Henri Nouwen reminds us in The Wounded Healer,
“Nobody escapes being wounded. We are all wounded people… The great illusion is to think that we can be healed by avoiding suffering.”
And in the words of Pádraig Ó Tuama from In the Shelter: Finding a Home in the World:
“There is no them, there is only us. And in that us, there is hope.”
We seek to be that shelter — a home in the world for all.
Programs & Volunteering Info
A Safe and Sacred Space
Our pastors, staff, and volunteers serve with compassion and professionalism to create a safe, trauma-informed environment where every person is treated with dignity. At Dallas Responds, we believe that no one is beyond the reach of grace — and that love, lived out in action, is the most powerful force for healing in the world.
Patricia Proo
Outreach Manager
Contact Patricia at patricia@olumc.org or 214-521-5197, x101.
Volunteer With Us
Every act of service is an act of love. Whether you serve meals, organize clothes, assist with mail, or offer a warm smile — your presence makes a difference.
“Our wounds become the sources of healing for others.” — Henri Nouwen
Radical Hospitality in Action
Supporting our Unhoused Neighbors
Community Meals – We serve our unhoused neighbors with compassion and dignity.
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Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
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1st & 3rd Sundays: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
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Due to current kitchen renovations, all meals are currently pre-packaged for safety and efficiency.
Clothing Closet
Open during Tuesday & Wednesday lunch service or by emergency request whenever our Outreach Center or Church Office is open.
ID & Mail Services
We help guests obtain identification and receive mail securely, offering dignity through documentation and stability.
Food Pantry & Case Management
We provide access to essential groceries and individualized case management to help our neighbors move toward stability and wholeness.
Recovery & Community Support
Our Community Center hosts more than 500 people each week for recovery and support meetings, including groups specifically designed for LGBTQIA+ people and their allies:
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We Are Not Saints (AA)
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Unwired CMA (Crystal Meth Anonymous)
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Al-Anon
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Dallas Winners Circle
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Q+ Grief Support Group
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Queer Engage! & Queer Relate!
Transgender-Affirming Clothing Closet
By confidential appointment, we offer a safe, affirming space for individuals seeking or exchanging gender-affirming clothing.
Email outreach@olumc.org for a private appointment.
We also provide meeting space for groups serving the LGBTQ+, recovery, and marginalized communities of Dallas — because healing happens together.
Migrant Support Network
Dallas Responds partners with advocates and volunteers to provide:
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Know Your Rights workshops
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Courtroom monitoring
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Community advocacy for immigrants and asylum seekers navigating complex systems of justice and belonging.
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Local grassroots organizing to ensure the accountability of local and national leaders through the United Methodist Connection and beyond
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