On the afternoon of March 17 judicatory leaders representing Roman Catholic, PCUSA, UMC, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Jewish communities gathered online with Dallas Area Interfaith and Dave Woodyard, CEO of Catholic Charities-Dallas to learn about how faith communities can respond to the migrant young men coming to Dallas beginning as early as tonight.

What we learned is that this will not be a long term housing solution but instead is going to be what is known as a “decompression center.” To take pressure off housing at the border young people will be brought to Dallas for average stays of just 3-5 days, largely for processing legal claims and finding family. There will be a maximum of 2,300 at any one time. Also we learned there will be migrants housed in Midland as well.

Catholic Charities has been tasked with organizing volunteers. Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks from simply monitoring and being present with the youth to being trained by HHS for case management to help find young people’s families and document their stories. Although 10-20% of the volunteers could be English only, bi-lingual ability is preferred. At this time clothing, food, water, etc… are not being requested.

Volunteers will need to be background checked as they will be working with minors. If you are interested in volunteering you can find more information in the link below. Grateful for the Dallas area faith communities ability to organize quickly and for the ability to serve in this time these young people who have experienced significant trauma. #NTNL #InMissionTogether