Starting Saturday, OurCalling, a Dallas-based nonprofit, will help people who don’t have adequate housing find shelter from freezing temperatures.
The organization will coordinate with various other service providers to make sure all available beds are filled. Currently, OurCalling knows of 2,500 beds —
1,000 less than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some of our partners will be helping to provide ancillary services. We're working with some for transportation needs. Oakland United Methodist Church will be opening up their space as well,” OurCalling CEO Wayne Walker said. “Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance is helping with some of the data collection points, and so everybody serves in different ways.”
The National Weather Service says temperatures in Dallas will drop into the low 20s both Saturday and Sunday nights.
Walker anticipates close to 98% to 99% of available beds will be filled this weekend. With Dallas County raising the COVID-19 threat level to “red,” organizations like OurCalling are doubling down on safety protocols. Rapid COVID tests will be administered upon entry. Anyone who tests positive will be transported to another location to prevent any further spread of the virus.
“We actually outfitted one of OurCalling street outreach vans where we ripped all the seats out and put up plexiglass barriers. So it is an officially designated COVID transport vehicle,” said Walker.
Heading into the weekend, Walker encourages Dallas residents to report on the organization’s app any encampment or individuals in need of a shelter. Service teams will then head out to the location to connect the individual or individuals with a North Texas shelter.
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Got a tip? Ana Perez at aperez@kera.org. You can follow Ana on Twitter @ana_b_pez