September 21, 2022

Dallas’ homeless population has grown 500% in the last six years, according to OurCalling. OurCalling, a daytime homeless outreach center, announced plans to create a “Family Safe Place” to help families and children experiencing homelessness in North Texas.

August 30, 2022

VIDEO

A non-profit is building one of the largest tiny house communities for people experiencing homelessness in North Texas.

August 29, 2022

Wayne Walker felt tired but at peace as he gripped the hand of the 69-year-old man resting in a hospice bed. John “Smitty” Williams lay dying of congestive heart failure. If it weren’t for Wayne, he’d be all alone.

As Smitty gasped for air, Wayne read a Psalm. Wayne is a pastor and the CEO at OurCalling in Dallas. He often reads Psalms to people as they take their last breaths. Smitty was different. For more than 10 years, Wayne and Smitty had been the closest of friends.

Wayne had watched as Smitty confronted his declining health with terror. Smitty lived in permanent supportive housing, which is designed to help people with a disabling condition who are experiencing homelessness with indefinite rent and support services. That means he had a roof over his head, bus passes and visits with a case manager.

But Smitty couldn’t dress himself and had trouble getting up and down to use the restroom. Wayne would visit Smitty’s apartment and find him covered in his own waste, having not eaten in days.

In the fall of 2021, Wayne could do little except drive his friend to the hospital. One place refused to give Smitty anything more than ice chips. Wayne called in a favor and got him a bed at Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas.

Near the end, Smitty screamed at Wayne, begging to go home. “I’m scared,” Smitty said. “Just promise me you won’t leave.”

For Wayne, it is the greatest of wrongs for anyone to live, and die, without dignity. But the sad reality is many like Smitty will meet an undignified death.

In this gap, Wayne found his calling: He would be family to people who had none.

July 27, 2022

AUDIO

July 27, 2022

ERCOT is appealing with Texans to conserve energy during peak hours Monday, projecting a combination of extreme heat and low wind will strain the state’s electricity grid.

The grid operator said in a Sunday statement that it expects a shortage in energy reserves Monday with “no market solution available.” Texas homes and businesses are asked to conserve power from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Before a blackout

Have a plan to stay connected. The American Red Cross recommends signing up for text- and app-based emergency alert systems. Make sure portable power banks are fully charged. Ideally, you’ll also want other devices that don’t need to plug in, like a battery-powered radio.

Perishable food won’t last long after a blackout, so stock up on canned foods and bottles of water. The Red Cross says refrigerators keep food cold for about four hours after losing power. A freezer will keep the temperature for about two days, but those windows may be shorter in the Texas summer.

If your medical needs require energy or refrigeration, discuss a plan with your primary care or medical device providers.

If you drive a car, the Red Cross recommends keeping your tank at least half full and making a plan in case you need to quickly evacuate.

Reliant shares the following tips and tricks for how help manage and conserve energy usage:

• Follow the 4×4 principle. Set your thermostat four degrees higher when you’re away from home for more than four hours to save on energy usage and costs.
• Rotate your ceiling fan counterclockwise for a wind chill effect. This can make the temperature in a room feel up to 4 degrees cooler allowing you to be more comfortable and adjust your thermostat to save money. Don’t forget to turn off your fan when leaving the room.
• Use blinds or curtains to reduce solar heat gain by up to 50 percent. Direct sunlight can increase the demand on your AC by as much as 30 percent.

Take note of where your nearest cooling center is. Dallas lists theirs here.

If you have any water or perishable food to spare, consider donating it to local charities or mutual aid groups. The United Peoples Coalition in Dallas, for example, is accepting donations of bottled, boxed or canned water for people experiencing homelessness.

Dallas nonprofit OurCalling is also accepting donations to make “heat kits” for homeless people. Items requested include hats, water bottle, cooling towels and sunscreen.

July 27, 2022

Texas has been experiencing higher than normal temperatures since June, and the current 10-day forecast calls for Dallas temperatures to be at least 100 degrees until July 27. Like other extreme weather conditions, high heat can be deadly for homeless residents.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., and people exposed to extreme heat can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease such as heart attacks and strokes.

For the homeless, who might find it difficult to get out of the heat, the extreme temperatures are a dangerous situation. According to a Dallas County and Collin County state of homelessness report from the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, the organization found 4,410 people living on the streets during its annual one-night census this year.

Part of the city’s effort to assist homeless residents in Dallas is to provide cooling stations and give out water.

The city’s Office of Homelessness Solutions said some Dallas shelters have recently upped their efforts, including Austin Street Center, which is offering a cooling station in its lobby, and The Bridge, which has expanded capacity to serve more than 500 people.

Wayne Walker, founder of OurCalling, a faith-based organization aiding the homeless population in Dallas, said the group has seen a greater need in the community because of the heat. “We’ve already had two heat-related deaths this week,” Walker said. “We are seeing significant health issues … heat exhaustion and potential heat stroke with folks.”

July 27, 2022

VIDEO

DALLAS – The extreme heat is putting the most vulnerable people in North Texas in danger.

A Dallas shelter is stepping up efforts to help people stay cool. The heat has been relentless.

The pastor of Our Calling says he knows of at least two homeless people who have died from chronic heat exposure. Volunteers are going out to try and get these folks off the streets.

Other organizations like the Visiting Nurse Association are doing their part to help our most vulnerable residents stay cool.

The line outside of Our Calling in Dallas began forming around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The shelter opened its doors earlier than usual so homeless residents could get out of the scorching heat.

July 27, 2022

VIDEO

As North Texas temperatures reach record highs, the nonprofit Our Calling is extending its hours to help provide relief for the estimated 10,000 people who are homeless in Dallas.

Tuesday, Our Calling, a nonprofit that relies on both monetary donations and volunteer time to serve the homeless population in Dallas County, stayed open until 6 to offer air conditioning, dinner and plenty of water.

Earlier in the day, its search and rescue teams took to the streets to do welfare checks and provide hot weather essentials like sunscreen.

It’s an emergency operation plan that kicks into gear anytime the heat index tops 105 and is something the nonprofit has had to do more than usual this year.

July 19, 2022

July 11, 2022

Nonprofits in North Texas are working together to try to reach homeless during a stretch of early-summer triple digit heat. In Dallas, OurCalling says more people have been coming to the day shelter to escape the hot weather.

“We have protocols and procedures in place for when it’s extra hot or extra cold, we just had to start implementing those about a month earlier than we were expecting,” says OurCalling’s Ali Hendricksen.

July 8, 2022

VIDEO

OurCalling CEO and Founder Wayne Walker join us with more on its Beat The Heat Campaign and how you can help.

July 8, 2022

VIDEO

OurCalling in Dallas is asking for the public’s help as triple-digit temperatures are expected in the forecast for several days.

The nonprofit, which works with the city’s homeless, is asking for donations to create “Beat the Heat” kits.

“When it’s hot it can be extremely dangerous for our homeless friends,” said Ali Hendricksen with OurCalling.

June 15, 2022

June 15, 2022

DALLAS – Service organizations in north Texas are stepping up their efforts due to the dangerous heat.

“Every day it’s about saving lives here with our homeless community, but especially in the summer. This heat can be deadly,” Ali Hendricksen, Our Calling’s development manager, said.

Studies show there are at least 10-thousand people considered homeless in the Dallas area alone. With a heat advisory in effect, that population is going to need somewhere to go. Our calling is doing its part.

VIDEO

June 15, 2022

The Texas heat is expected to top 100 degrees this weekend. That’s a particular concern for a homeless population of roughly 10,000 people in Dallas and more across North Texas. The organization Our Calling is again stepping up to help. Good Day talked to Pastor and CEO Wayne Walker to learn more about efforts in the next few days.

VIDEO

March 11, 2022

DR. PHIL VIDEO

Wayne Walker is a pastor and CEO of OurCalling, a faith-based organization in Dallas, Texas which offers outreach and resources to the area’s unhoused population. He has also developed the OurCalling App to help people who are experiencing homelessness in the United States locate resources by location and category. “It really acts like a Yelp for homeless services. It’s got over 100,000 agencies listed across the country to really help people find the services that they need,” says Pastor Wayne. The OurCalling App is available on Google Play and the App Store. Watch the video above to learn more about the organization and its mission and how to donate to help support the App. Tune in to Friday’s conclusion of this two-part Dr. Phil, “Homelessness in America: Is There a Solution?,” to hear more from experts, advocates, property rights activists, and people currently experiencing homelessness. Check your local listing for air times. WATCH: ‘We’re Just A Normal Family, Like Everybody Else, That Hit Some Rough Times And Weren’t Able To Get Out Of It’ TELL DR. PHIL YOUR STORY: Have a story in the news?

February 4, 2022

VIDEO

The app allows users to share the location for a camp or individual that may need assistance.

February 4, 2022

OurCalling, a faith-based homeless advocacy organization, drove around Dallas to tell people about the city’s temporary weather shelter at Fair Park.

A temporary homeless shelter opened at Dallas’ Fair Park on Wednesday ahead of the winter storm as advocates and volunteers spent the day trying to convince people to get out of the cold and stay there before it’s too late.

The South Dallas emergency weather shelter will be open through the weekend at the automobile building at Fair Park. Cots were set up at the facility at 1010 First Ave. to accommodate about 1,000 people.

February 4, 2022

The City of Dallas, OurCalling and other partners opened an inclement-weather shelter at Fair Park to accommodate those experiencing homelessness.

Wednesday afternoon, outreach teams from OurCalling visited encampments and bussed homeless individuals to the Automobile Center, the city of Dallas designated as an overnight shelter.

December 6, 2021

OurCalling, the faith-based nonprofit that serves the unsheltered homeless in Dallas County, is doing everything possible to make the holiday meaningful and special for the men and women they serve. Tomorrow (Wednesday), approximately 250 volunteers will be on hand to help provide an early Thanksgiving dinner to 500-plus men and women who are currently homeless, living on the streets, in the woods and under bridges. This event is truly unique. Pastor Wayne Walker from OurCalling told KRLD’s John Liddle about what sets the meal apart.

September 14, 2021

As a minister and founder of the local nonprofit OurCalling, Wayne Walker used to haul supplies to homeless encampments around Dallas, hoping to provide what he could to those sleeping rough in the city. But over the years, he came to believe it’s more important to get people off the streets and into a safe shelter.

On Sept. 1, a new law, House Bill 1925, bans camping in public spaces and went into effect in Texas. The ban joins a growing list of measures advocates say criminalize homelessness around the country.

Even though Walker would rather see Dallas’ homeless population given opportunities to get back inside, he knows there aren’t enough shelters or affordable housing in the city, and he says banning camping won’t do anything to fix homelessness in general.

“Practically speaking, I don’t think it’s much more than gaslighting, but it is unfortunate that they’ve passed some more legislation without passing the ability to do anything,” Walker said. “Passing legislation like this just passes the buck. It doesn’t really do anything to address homelessness or to help people off the streets.”

August 27, 2021

There is a huge regional plan to address homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties. It was just approved by the Dallas City Council. A man on the front lines of this, Pastor Wayne Walker with Our Calling, explains the details on Good Day.

VIDEO

August 11, 2021

Police are searching for the person who fatally shot a transgender woman at a homeless encampment in Dallas Saturday night.

VIDEO

August 11, 2021

With COVID cases on the rise, hospital beds aren’t the only ones filling up. Homeless shelters in Dallas County are trying to house an increasing number of people in need with a dwindling number of resources.

“With COVID, especially with the numbers going up, the number of beds in every homeless shelter has been significantly reduced,” says Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO and Pastor at Our Calling in Dallas. “I believe right now we only have 1,457 beds in the entire county.”

Walker says the nonprofit has been sending out more and more COVID rapid tests to homeless shelters across the county. Rapid testing is one safety measure some shelters are choosing to implement to slow the spread of the Delta variant. Like at Austin Street Center?, where COVID safety protocols haven’t loosened much in the past couple of months.

May 10, 2021

The Cowboys QB began his partnership with Walk-On’s restaurant by giving meals to Dallas’ homeless on Tuesday

One of the biggest offseason questions for the Cowboys is the health of quarterback Dak Prescott.

Because he signed the richest contract in team history — $160 million over four years — any fears about Prescott’s ability to return from two surgeries on his right ankle should be eased. The Cowboys wouldn’t have done it if Prescott’s health was a long-term problem.

Tuesday afternoon, Prescott made a statement that confirmed this assumption.

“I’m close. I can go play in a game right now,” he said. “And in my head be very, very successful. So there is no doubt when I need to be successful, when I need to do the things that it takes to be on the field, I’ll do exactly that and the time will be right.”

The surgeries to Prescott’s ankle were serious. Doctors had to repair a compound fracture and dislocation of the right ankle in October. Then in December, Prescott got a cleanup of the same ankle to strengthen it. The second surgery would have occurred at some point regardless of what transpired against the Giants in October.

With his long-term future secure and his health progressing, this must also be said about Prescott: He really cares about the community and playing for the Cowboys.

They are all dissatisfied with how the front office is going about its business.

Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner and general manager, has put together a talented offensive roster, and Prescott is the face of it.

And when you see Prescott’s actions in the community, it just shows why the Cowboys needed to take care of him financially.

You just don’t let people like Prescott play elsewhere.

There he was Tuesday passing out meals to the homeless at OurCalling, a nonprofit organization that forges relationships with unsheltered people of Dallas.

May 10, 2021

May 10, 2021

In 2018, when Dallas pastor Wayne Walker got a land-use violation ticket from the city for keeping the doors of homeless ministry OurCalling open around the clock in the cold, he framed it for his office.

Now, litigation may continue in a spat between OurCalling and the City of Dallas over a land-use ordinance that criminalized their 24-hour open-door policy during the February freeze.

As winter neared in 2020, the city council passed an ordinance that set up an application process for “temporary inclement weather shelters” (TIWS). In other words, the ordinance lets the city authorize groups like OurCalling to take in people seeking shelter during dangerous weather events like freezes or heat waves. Walker claims the ordinance was motivated in part by OurCalling’s advocacy to avoid another land-use code violation like the one the city issued in 2018.

April 1, 2021

Sometimes we may need a little help, and OurCalling has stood up to offer that help. That’s why we’re shining our community spotlight on this wonderful local organization. OurCalling is a faith-based organization that helps the homeless to live a healthy and sustainable lifestyle through the building of lasting relationships.

March 23, 2021

Millions of Texans are still in need of food, water and warm shelter amid brutal winter weather, but many are stepping up to help their neighbors. TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager reports and pastor Wayne Walker, Pastor and CEO of OurCalling, tells TODAY that “people are struggling, our homeless friends are just trying to get by,” but adds that “the community is showing up” to help.

February 19, 2021

Celebrities Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Bush Hager and more are sending support to those in Texas affected by the winter storm.

February 19, 2021

The North Texas area has been hit with record-low temperatures over the past week. Winter storms have caused power outages, water pipes to burst, and the temporary closing of schools, restaurants, and grocery stores.

Times like these are difficult for everyone, but particularly those without food and shelter. Dak Prescott, the face of the Dallas Cowboys, is doing his part to assist the less fortunate during this tough stretch. Along with actor Matthew McConaughey, Prescott has provided meals for nearly 1,000 homeless people for a Dallas-based non-profit organization called OurCalling.

February 19, 2021

Dallas-area organizations Austin Street Center, OurCalling, The Stewpot, Union Gospel Mission, and Oak Lawn United Methodist Church are reportedly putting their funds together to help pay for temporary shelter as well as Covid-19 rapid tests for those in need.

February 19, 2021

In addition to President Biden declaring a state of emergency in Texas and vowing to send aid following deadly winter storms this week, several prominent public figures, ranging from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to Beyonce, have launched fundraising efforts to gather food and funds for individuals in need.

February 19, 2021

The power is slowly coming back on in Texas on Friday, but the catastrophic effects of the state’s worst winter storm in decades are still being felt.

Millions were without power for days amid single-digit temperatures, with many people posting photos and videos on social media of bursting pipes, icy home interiors and furniture being burned for heat.

More than 12 million residents have also had their water service affected, with many water systems issuing notices for residents to boil their water. That has also resulted in grocery stores with long lines and few bottles of water remaining on the shelves.

HERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN HELP IN TEXAS

February 19, 2021

A brutal winter storm has battered large parts of the Central and Southern United States, forcing millions of people to search for the basics for survival — food, water and shelter from record cold.

President Biden has declared emergencies in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana and vowed to send aid. Nonprofit organizations are also at work trying to address the humanitarian crisis created by the storm.

Here is how you can help.

February 18, 2021

Wayne Walker, a pastor and the CEO of OurCalling, said that more than 800 people are sheltered at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas and that the number of people increases each day.

“Everyone is struggling right now, especially those who are sleeping outside,” said Walker. “We’ve got an unlimited need and limited resources, so it’s a challenge just to keep up.”

While Covid-19 has complicated relief efforts, Walker said his organization implemented safety measures, including on-site rapid testing, social distancing, mask requirements and cleaning crews.

“We are doing everything we can to keep people safe and healthy,” he added.

Chad West, a member of the Dallas City Council whose district is near the Hutchison center, said he is concerned about the homeless community, but applauded the response effort in Dallas.

“There’s more snow than I’ve ever seen here before,” he said. “It’s a little scary and these people need our help.”

February 18, 2021

As Texas grapples with ongoing impacts from arctic temperatures that hit the state this week — weather that resulted in millions of residents losing power for well more than 24 hours —  Dallas Cowboys starting quarterback Dak Prescott is reportedly doing his part to help the most vulnerable members of the Dallas-area. According to a post from Dallas-based OurCalling, a faith-based homeless outreach organization, Prescott donated an undisclosed amount to the organization to aid with relief efforts in the area.

“We couldn’t be more proud of our staff for stepping in to open an emergency weather shelter,” An Instagram post from OurCalling read. “…We also smile because we keep seeing the public response – just today we found out that (actor Mattew McConaughey) and (Dak Prescott) are both making donations to help feed our homeless friends.”

February 18, 2021

Due to this week’s uncharacteristic ice storms in the Southwest US, millions of Texans are struggling without power and water in their homes. But, it’s those without shelter in these trying times that are often forgotten.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is among the many figures stepping up to help his community.

Along with fellow Texas legend Matthew McConaughey, Prescott donated enough money to help an organization called OurCalling open a temporary shelter that will house 1,000 homeless individuals displaced by the storm. The specific dollar amount remains undisclosed, but the donation was clearly impactful.

February 18, 2021

An unprecedented winter storm and unprepared electrical grid has left millions of Texans without reliable power and water and haskilled at least 20 people since Monday. Rolling blackouts stretched into days, with more than 400,000 households still without power Feb. 18 as another storm looms Thursday.

February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

As a result of the dangerous winter weather in Texas, homeless shelters and non-profits are working overtime trying to offer help to citizens. Also among those offering help: Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys and film actor Matthew McConaughey.

“It’s been great to see the community come together for the greater good,” OurCalling Pastor and CEO Wayne Walker tells KRLD Radio. “It’s fun to see us all working for a common goal.”

February 18, 2021

Nearly 560,000 homes and businesses in Texas were still without electricity Thursday morning, down from about 3 million the day before. Adding to the misery, the snowy weather has jeopardized drinking water systems throughout the state.

Texas officials ordered 7 million people — a quarter of the population of the nation’s second-largest state — to boil tap water before drinking. That order followed days of record low temperatures that damaged infrastructure and froze pipes.

February 18, 2021

Nearly 560,000 homes and businesses in Texas were still without electricity Thursday morning, down from about 3 million the day before. Adding to the misery, the snowy weather has jeopardized drinking water systems throughout the state.

Texas officials ordered 7 million people — a quarter of the population of the nation’s second-largest state — to boil tap water before drinking. That order following days of record low temperatures that damaged infrastructure and froze pipes.

As residents continue to seek warmth and shelter, there are several ways you can help right now no matter where you are.

February 18, 2021

It’s unclear when the game may be made up at this point, and the status of tomorrow’s game against the Predators is unclear. Considering the winter weather apocalypse happening in North Texas isn’t supposed to clear out until later this week, it seems like a safe bet that it could also get postponed as well.

We hope everyone stays safe and warm. If you can spare it, please consider donating to the City’s efforts to house the homeless community at the Convention Center during this weather event to help keep the most vulnerable among us safe.

February 18, 2021

The NHL has rescheduled Saturday’s game between the Dallas Stars and Tampa Bay Lightning due an ongoing power crisis in the state of Texas.

The league previously postponed Dallas’s games against the Nashville Predators, originally scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, along with another contest against the Lightning that was set for Thursday.

A power crisis has affected the vast majority of the state of Texas, spurred by a winter storm beginning on Feb. 11 that has caused several outages, rendering many without drinking water, heat or electricity.

February 18, 2021

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and actor Matthew McConaughey helped buy meals for homeless Dallas residents staying at the city’s convention center during Texas’ winter storms, per OurCalling on Thursday.

February 18, 2021

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is helping the less fortunate during their time of need as North Texas continues to deal with frigid temperatures and power outages.

Our Calling, a local non-profit, says that Prescott and actor Matthew McConaughey provided meals for nearly 1,000 homeless individuals who are taking shelter from the cold weather at the Dallas Convention Center.

February 18, 2021

When the onset of extreme winter weather began to rip through North Texas, one Dallas-based nonprofit moved to provide an inclement weather shelter for people experiencing homelessness in the Dallas County area.

The result was an emergency shelter established by Christian nonprofit OurCalling at the Dallas Convention Center.

“It is absolutely life-threatening to be outside right now,” Associate Development Director Ali Hendricksen said. “It is just not safe or humane for our homeless friends to be outside.”

OurCalling partnered with homeless shelters, agencies and with the city of Dallas and took over two exhibit halls at the Dallas Convention Center, Hendricksen said. The set-up happened within a matter of hours on Friday.

At first, OurCalling expected to take in about 300 people, but by Tuesday, Hendricksen said it had seen over 700 walk through the doors.

After undergoing a rapid COVID-19 test, those who come in are given supplies like a blanket, food and a cot. Everybody is required to wear a face mask. Some people have come in with frostbite, Hendricksen said, and a group was able to send certified nurses to help.

February 18, 2021

“The people keep coming,” he said. “I just talked to a mom who had six people in her house and they had no heat. She said it was warmer outside than in their house.”

He said the Salvation Army, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church and other faith groups have arranged for meals and other supplies. OurCalling is also collecting donations through its website.

“I don’t want people to go to Walmart and buy supplies and try to bring them to us,” he said, citing freezing conditions and treacherous roads. “That’s not very wise.”

Walker said he is glad to be able to lend a hand.

“We’re able to show people grace and mercy from the hands of Christ,” he said.

February 18, 2021

OurCalling, which combats homelessness in Dallas, has worked around the clock over the last several days to convert the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center into a temporary shelter. They’re providing three square meals for visitors and hotel rooms for volunteers affected by power outages, so every donation helps. You can contribute here.

February 18, 2021

Walker said his organization is helping staff the shelter, working 16-hour days and staying at a downtown hotel near the convention center. His family is also volunteering while some friends from church, who had lost power, stay at their house.

The first night the center was open, about 100 people showed up, said Walker. On Tuesday (Feb. 16), he expected more than 600 people. Everyone who comes to the shelter is given a COVID-19 rapid test. Those staying at the center are asked to social distance.

“The people keep coming,” he said. “I just talked to a mom who had six people in her house and they had no heat. She said it was warmer outside than in their house.”

He said the Salvation Army, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church and other faith groups have arranged for meals and other supplies. OurCalling is also collecting donations through its website.

“I don’t want people to go to Walmart and buy supplies and try to bring them to us,” he said, citing freezing conditions and treacherous roads. “That’s not very wise.”

February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

Temperatures in North Texas remain dangerously low, and thousands of individuals, families, children, and pets without shelter are in dire need of temporary housing and other resources to stay safe and warm. Unfortunately, the organizations that serve them are already stretched thin. Social distancing protocols have limited capacities at local shelters, and many warming centers are filling up, too.

If you are in a position to help, there are many ways to lend a hand. If you have nonperishable food or beverages to donate, several organizations will distribute them directly to those in need. If you have a surplus of household goods, like cleaning products, toilet paper, or blankets, you can drop them off at facilities that are running low. And if you have the means to give monetarily, your donation will have a greater impact than ever. Financial support is critical so that these organizations can continue to provide their services without interruption.

February 18, 2021

OurCalling is making sure the homeless population in Dallas will have a warm place to stay during this winter storm, which may include the newly opened Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, hotels, or shelters.

February 18, 2021

Millions of Texans are without power, heat and essential services during a winter storm that has led to freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions throughout the state.

City officials, local outreach teams and other organizations are providing warming shelters and support for people seeking help. Many nonprofit organizations are also asking for donations so they can help people experiencing homelessness or those who are in need of support. Here’s a list of the resources being offered in cities across the state.

February 18, 2021

Some people in North Texas do still have power and if you do, local nonprofits and organizations are asking for help to provide for the less fortunate.

February 18, 2021

Rick Schrage has been homeless in Dallas for five years. He slept outside Saturday night.

“I’m actually getting optimistic that I’m going to be getting inside soon,” Schrage said. “I actually have a mattress and like three or four blankets and I was fairly warm. I woke up pleasant [Sunday] morning, but as soon as I grabbed myself from the blankets, I instantly got cold.”

He’s going inside Sunday night.

“Individual citizens that are concerned are picking up a homeless guy and bringing him this way. This is the place to come,” Walker added.

February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

February 18, 2021

Dallas is managing a global pandemic. And now a natural disaster crisis.

As temperatures plummeted to dangerous levels for residents and massive outages affected thousands, the Kay Bailey Hutchinson convention center in downtown became a resource spot for those in need.

February 18, 2021

“The police are bringing people by,” OurCalling CEO and Pastor Wayne Walker said. “The hospitals are dropping people off. Street outreach teams are picking people up all over the city and bringing them here to be able to provide a warm space and hot meals just to keep people safe during this crazy weather.”

February 18, 2021

“It’s been great to see the community come together for the greater good,” says OurCalling Pastor and CEO Wayne Walker. “It’s fun to see us all working for a common goal.”

Walker says non-profits are now using two exhibit halls at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. He says cots are set up for men in one area, women in another; another area is for people with special needs.

February 18, 2021

Walker said his organization typically saw about 30 newly homeless people each week before the pandemic.

“We saw 95 last week. We saw 140 the week before,” Walker said. “That’s brand new people, people that are just for the first time in their life experiencing homelessness.”

February 17, 2021

WAYNE WALKER: And, unfortunately, a lot of the philanthropy on the streets where people just pile up blankets and give people resources in a camp, it enables them to stay in a life-threatening scenario. We would much rather them be in a shelter.

February 17, 2021

OurCalling, a nonprofit homeless ministry, is working with the city of Dallas to open the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center to shelter the homeless as the blistering cold continues ahead of a life-threatening and dangerous winter storm that is expected to arrive this weekend.

With emergency shelters at capacity, the site will open its doors to 300 homeless people on Friday. The city of Dallas and OurCalling are expecting the number of people seeking shelter to grow as temperatures continue to fall.

The Convention Center will remain open day and night for homeless individuals as long as the temperature is below freezing — which is expected to be the case for much of next week.

February 17, 2021

“It’s kind of a worst case scenario in some ways, trying to figure out how to staff this thing, trying to figure out how to afford this thing,” Walker said. “We need all the community support we can get right now.”

He said OurCalling is spending around $15,000-$20,000 a day. The efforts at the convention center are being paid for by Walker’s organization and the city.

February 17, 2021

“We told [the city] we needed the convention center open,” Walker said. “If we didn’t have this space, it’d be impossible to protect people from dying on the street. It’s that simple.”

February 17, 2021

Pierre Scott walked to downtown Dallas from South Dallas ahead of the winter storm.

Scott, 59, paused each time after a few blocks, stuck his hands in his jacket to keep them warm. The pain started to sting from the freezing temperatures.

“It took me like an hour to get there. That’s how cold it was,” Scott said.

After two nights of staying at the convention center in downtown Dallas, he’s glad for a warm and safe place to sleep. He is among more than 700 people who are staying at the Kay Bailey Hutchison convention center in downtown Dallas as the city gets hit with freezing temperatures, historic amounts of snow and power outages.

January 12, 2021

“The alternative is we close our doors and go home and we leave people to sleep outside in freezing weather,” said Wayne Walker, with OurCalling. “Every year we lose people to death on the streets, so we want to do what’s right for the community, we want to do what’s right to love our neighbors.”

January 12, 2021

December 8, 2020

The Christian homeless services organization OurCalling is one of those organizations. CEO Pastor Wayne Walker said the St. Jude project is a step in the right direction, but that the area is already starting from a huge deficit.

“We need thousands of new beds in Dallas immediately,” he said. “We have a very minimal supported housing and even shelter space compared to other cities our size.”

December 4, 2020

It was the first night this year he slept indoors. Founder and CEO of OurCalling Pastor Wayne Walker said homelessness is a disconnection.

“You’re disconnected from family, friends, mental health care, medical care, housing, jobs, income,” Pastor Walker said.

The pastor began hanging with the homeless 20 years ago. He said the issue is cyclical, often compounded with trauma. The stereotypical idea is that many are on the streets because they are lazy or have chosen the lifestyle.

“Every person on the street, if given the opportunity, would choose to sleep in your house and your bed. It’s freezing outside this time of year. And they would choose to live anywhere but where they are,” Walker said.

Walker’s team provides them a warm bed, hot meal, shower, and medical care that now includes COVID-19 testing.

“We may not see the success on this side, but at some point in the future, we will. We’ll see the hope that we talk about and the hope that we speak of,” Walker said.

December 1, 2020

“We have been called into parking lots to identify bodies of people who are literally dying on the streets,” says Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO at the nonprofit OurCalling. “This is a real life-threatening situation for people experiencing homelessness.”

December 1, 2020

Wayne Walker, OurCalling’s founder and CEO, said several shelter agencies pooled their money together to pay for another 120 rooms. Partner agencies include Austin Street Center, The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, Salvation Army of North Texas, Union Gospel Mission, The Stewpot, Family Gateway and Oak Lawn United Methodist Church.

Austin Street provided staffing for the hotel while Oak Lawn United Methodist Church helped with fundraising and volunteer support.

Dallas Hope Charities provided dinner and The Stewpot helped manage the transportation coordination at the OurCalling triage location. Salvation Army supplied case management for intake and The Bridge referred clients.

November 30, 2020

“If they run out of rooms and people can’t get in, OurCalling will remain open to make sure our friends have a warm place to lay their heads,” said founder, CEO and Pastor Wayne Walker.

November 30, 2020

“The city has said they will fine us. We don’t know the financial repercussions if we stay open,” said Our Calling CEO and Pastor Wayne Walker. “But if hotels are full, we have a moral obligation to keep our doors open.”

The city’s new policy that was supposed to make it easier for churches to shelter the homeless actually banned Our Calling from opening its doors on freezing nights.

“We believe we are called by God himself to love our neighbors,” Walker said. “We want to lead people to the Lord and help them get off the streets.”

November 25, 2020

“When you’ve lost your house, and you’ve lost a place to sleep. One of the biggest places you’ll feel it is in your stomach. Obviously, hunger is a huge deal. Look behind us, there’s lines of people. Cars that pull up with people experiencing homelessness and hunger for the first time,” said Wayne Walker, the CEO and pastor at OurCalling.

November 21, 2020

Wayne Walker is a dissident. The soft-spoken CEO and pastor of OurCalling isn’t leading marches or shouting into a bullhorn or burning anything down; he’s simply helping his neighbor in need. And that has put him at odds with a Dallas ordinance that forbids such help.

According to an ill-conceived rule, charities in Dallas are not allowed to give shelter to homeless people within 1,000 feet of a church, which is problematic given that many churches, including OurCalling, see just such charity as part of their core function.

November 12, 2020

DALLAS – A Dallas homeless service provider is prepared to break the law, if necessary, to house people in extremely cold weather.

Wednesday night, the Dallas City Council approved an allowance for churches to operate as emergency shelters, but Our Calling, located just outside Downtown Dallas, was not included.

November 11, 2020

“One of the things we’ve noticed is not only more people showing up at our door but more cars are pulling up with families living in them,” said Wayne Walker, founder and CEO of OurCalling. “A car pulls up and we think that they’re here to volunteer and it turns out they just lost their house. There’s been a lot of evictions going on.”

October 26, 2020

For years, some churches have illegally opened their doors to shelter the homeless because the city has no process to offer permits right now.

But that could soon change. And one church estimates the community may need to provide shelter for as many as 1,200 people this year.

The weather has not yet dipped below freezing, but already Pastor Wayne Walker with OurCalling says there are more people needing shelter than there is space.

October 16, 2020

October 12, 2020

Patrick Palmer, director of development for OurCalling, a nonprofit that serves the homeless, said he understands the concerns because he has kids who enjoy parks.

“I want to be able to go to the parks and feel like the parks are clean and well kept,” he said.

But chasing homeless people out of encampments is a “cat and mouse game,” Palmer said. The city cleans up one park, and they simply move to another unless they can get help with housing, he said.

“We’re closing down encampments expecting them to disappear, but they just keep moving,” he said.

October 8, 2020

Fortunately, Weed found refuge at the nonprofit organization OurCalling. The outreach center located in downtown Dallas just opened a 16,000-square-foot space on the second floor for women only. The center will offer counseling and women who visit will be able to take showers and do their laundry.

Dallas has the largest unsheltered homeless population in Texas and many are women.

Wayne Walker, founder, pastor and CEO of OurCalling, said his organization is helping to meet the growing need for services.

October 7, 2020

We collaborate with a local service provider called OurCalling, a faith organization that’s a real leader addressing homelessness in Dallas. We found a way to put AT&T’s core skill set to work. They had an antiquated GPS aggregator app that would find local service providers in any area. We assembled a team to go in and tear down that app and rebuild it.

October 7, 2020

Real estate and construction industries helped to fund and build the center, providing everything from private showers, laundry, and counseling, to services relating to psychological and domestic abuse, sex trafficking, addiction, and exit strategies for women who need them.

The construction of the center was led by project manager KDC and general contractor Balfour Beatty, and it was funded in part by financial gifts, OurCalling said.

September 23, 2020

Dallas has the largest homeless population in Texas, and advocates for people experiencing homelessness say too little funding and focus have gone into helping people get back on their feet. But federal funding for help during the coronavirus is adding millions more to the city’s fight against homelessness.

September 9, 2020

A welcoming center for homeless women is opening in Dallas this week as the need increases during the pandemic. Wayne Walker, the founder of OurCalling, joins Good Day to talk about why the new center is so important.

August 21, 2020

Shelters are completely full. And Pastor Wayne Walker from Our Calling says this population is being ignored, as other city needs to take priority.

This week Pastor Walker distributed the following letter to Mayor Eric Johnson, Dallas City Council members, and city staff:

• HOMELESSNESS IS RAMPING UP. Approximately 10,000 men and women are homeless, another 300,000 people in Dallas/Fort Worth live below the poverty level,…

July 31, 2020

The other $5.5 million will be spread out among the company’s AT&T Believes program. In Dallas, the employee-led, volunteer initiative has focused on homelessness since getting off the ground in December 2018. It has clocked more than 14,000 hours of service with local organizations in Dallas, according to the company.

AT&T did not specify how much of its $10 million pledge will go to North Texas organizations. Its employee-led effort has worked closely with nearly a dozen local organizations, including OurCalling,…

April 6, 2020

By the time she arrived, OurCalling was making do with donations from now-closed restaurants. The organization’s founder, Wayne Walker, said each day has become an episode reminiscent of the reality TV show Chopped, in which chefs scramble to make do with unlikely surprise ingredients.

March 26, 2020

There’s also the option to straight-up donate $25 to Eno’s employees. The 12-year-old family owned company has grown to include two other locations, and each one has about 50 employees, many of whom are now temporarily out of work or on reduced hours. Some of Eno’s furloughed employees are now working at OurCalling through Shiftsmart. Eno’s owner Shane Spillers says OurCalling has gone from serving 250 meals a day to more than 500 since the coronavirus crisis began.

March 24, 2020

Other groups like OurCalling in Downtown Dallas said their food supply is dwindling. Most of what they receive is excess and bulk product donated from box stores.

But with shelves emptying to panic buying and people gathering supplies for a long road ahead, CEO Wayne Walker said they’ve lost 80% of their food donations, practically overnight.

“We’re trying to figure out how we’re going to pay for food. Now we have more people showing up to eat every single day. It’s really having us retool how quickly can we find resources, to meet these needs. The demand is growing,” he said. “We have hundreds and hundreds of people that come to us.

March 17, 2020

Dallas nonprofits that routinely help the homeless have now been forced to change how they do that. One big reason, said Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO of OurCalling, is because helpers may bring harm.

“It’s our staff and volunteers who may go to a Stars game or eat at a restaurant or went to visit somewhere on spring break. You know the homeless community, pretty much, stays in the same space,”  Walker said. “So the only way they’re going to get exposed is if we bring it to them.”

March 13, 2020

OurCalling is using their homeless emergency broadcast system to deliver these messages throughout the city, and will deliver timely updates to the homeless as more information becomes available.

February 20, 2020

February 4, 2020

December 10, 2019

OurCalling Ministry uses cell phone alerts and bed availability software to help find shelters for the homeless. But the faith-based organization also keeps its doors open to whoever needs the help.

“It’s been an unexpected expense to do this,” said Pastor Wayne Walker with OurCalling. “So when they do it, it’s all kind of city employees and the police department. So it’s costing them a lot of money.”

December 9, 2019

With dangerous temperatures forecasted tonight & Tuesday, Director of Development Patrick Palmer said “tonight we will be sending out an emergency broadcast giving directions to all the locations people can go. The way you can get that message is if you text the word “homeless” to 555888.”

Palmer expressed emotion over two people that died last season during temperatures like those expected tonight & Tuesday night. “For us, we feel moral obligation when the weather gets below freezing or gets close to freezing with rain, to keep our doors open, to prevent our homeless friends and neighbors from being stuck in the elements” said Palmer.