Dallas Responds Information Hub
Welcome to the Dallas Responds Information Hub! Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the impactful programs and services that help us care for our neighbors in need.
From providing essential supplies to offering compassionate support, Dallas Responds is dedicated to making a difference in our community. Explore our Amazon Wish List to see the most-needed items to care for our guests, or consider making a monetary donation to sustain our vital programs and services.
This page serves as your go-to resource for all things Dallas Responds, including updates on our programs, how you can get involved, and ways to support our mission. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in the lives of our neighbors.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
A Statement Regarding Current Events in our Community
Oak Lawn UMC, along with our outreach ministries, Dallas Responds, remains steadfast in our commitment to serving and supporting all communities, especially those who find themselves most polarized and marginalized in the current political climate.
As we have always done, we continue to provide warm meals, offer shelter during inclement weather, organize workshops to equip individuals with the knowledge to protect their rights, and serve as a safe haven that welcomes everyone without exception. These efforts reflect our unwavering dedication to upholding the dignity and rights of every person who enters our doors.
Our mission remains unchanged: to proactively engage with and support the community. While news of current threats may inspire fear, we choose to focus on being a source of safety, hope, and strength for those who need it most.
As a church, we will continue to stand in solidarity with our neighbors, offering the resources and support they deserve, guided by love and justice.
Dallas Responds is the outreach ministry of Oak Lawn United Methodist Church and is an innovative collaboration with other community organizations, churches and individuals.
We create a welcoming place that transcends borders, embraces diversity, and fosters a sense of belonging for every individual seeking refuge, safety and love.
Dallas Responds symbolizes hope, a place where cultural richness converges with a shared humanity. We aspire to be a beacon of compassion, providing essential services and empowering refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.
If you need more information or want to volunteer, contact Patricia Proo at Patricia@olumc.org All these programs are done on the first floor of the church.
Programs & Volunteering Info
Dallas Responds is more than a program—it’s a living testament to God’s boundless love. Whether you want to serve at the meal line, help welcome a newly arrived family, or stand in solidarity with trans and queer neighbors, there’s a place for you here. Together, we embody the gospel’s radical hospitality and ensure that every person—even the most marginalized—is seen, heard, and beloved.
Patricia Proo
Outreach Coordinator
Contact Patricia at patricia@olumc.org or 214-521-5197, x101.
Dallas Responds: Radical Hospitality in Action
At Oak Lawn UMC, our doors—and hearts—are wide open to our unsheltered neighbors and to queer and transgender siblings seeking safety, welcome, and community. Inspired by God’s call to show extravagant hospitality to all creation, Dallas Responds brings together refugee support, unsheltered ministry, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy under one compassionate roof.
Welcoming Our Unsheltered Neighbors
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Community Meals: Three days a week (Tues–Thurs), we share hot meals with 20–50 individuals experiencing homelessness. On Sunday nights, volunteers transform our space into a restaurant-style dining experience—because everyone deserves dignity at the table.
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Clothing & Care Closet: Every first and third Saturday, neighbors choose fresh clothing, hygiene supplies, and refreshments in a welcoming, judgment-free environment.
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Inclement Weather Shelter: When temperatures plummet or storms roll in, we open our doors to up to 100 guests, offering warm meals, dry space, and a caring presence.
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Case Management (Coming Soon): We’re launching services to help with Medicaid enrollment, food stamps, SSI applications, and state ID procurement—equipping neighbors with the tools to rebuild their lives.
Advocacy & Education in a Changing Landscape
In an era of shifting asylum laws and mounting misinformation, we:
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Host community forums to clarify the legal pathways for seeking asylum
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Train volunteers and partners to speak truth to power, challenging myths that harm immigrants and LGBTQIA+ people
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Build bridges across neighborhoods, denominations, and local agencies to strengthen our collective voice for justice.
Centering Queer & Trans Lives
As a Reconciling United Methodist congregation, we celebrate LGBTQIA+ people not as an afterthought but at the very center of our ministry. Dallas Responds:
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Provides affirming shelter and support for queer and trans individuals who face disproportionate barriers to housing and health care
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Offers spiritual accompaniment—prayer, pastoral care, and peer support groups—where queer and trans neighbors can explore faith without fear
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Advocates publicly for trans rights, immigration justice, and policies that protect vulnerable communities
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