With the heat index expected to climb above 110 degrees across North Texas, OurCalling is extending its hours and increasing street outreach to protect people experiencing homelessness.
The Dallas nonprofit has activated its “Beat the Heat” response plan, keeping its Navigation Center open until 8 p.m. through Friday, July 24. The center normally closes at 3 p.m. on weekdays.
Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO of OurCalling tells 1080 KRLD the organization begins its extreme-heat response when the heat index reaches dangerous levels.
“According to the National Weather Service, it becomes dangerous when it’s over 105,” Walker told KRLD. “We watch the weather every day for hot and cold temperatures. When it’s this hot, we’re going to stay open until the heat drops below that threshold, just to make sure people are safe.”
The Navigation Center offers cold water, meals, snacks, restrooms and an indoor place to escape the heat. Walker said those additional five hours cover the most dangerous part of the afternoon and early evening, when people living outside may have few other options.
“Every shelter in Dallas is full and gets full by about 8 a.m., and so there’s just not enough room,” Walker said. “The reality is we live in a city that has a lot of people on the street and not enough beds.”
Walker said that population includes people living in vehicles or under bridges, along with families, trafficking survivors, domestic violence victims, teenage runaways and older adults.
“OurCalling is the one place for everyone, so we’re 100% inclusive,” Walker said. “On days like today, it’s important to make sure we have extended hours to help those individuals escape this brutal heat.”
Outreach teams searching for people at risk
OurCalling’s street outreach teams are also staying out longer each day, searching for people who may be in danger and helping bring them to the Navigation Center.
The organization maintains a network of phone numbers and email addresses for thousands of people experiencing homelessness. During extreme weather, OurCalling uses that system to share information about extended hours and places where people can find help.
“We broadcast messages across the community on days like today when it’s hot or cold, telling them places they can go or when we’re open late,” Walker said.
The immediate goal is to prevent heat-related illness or death, but Walker said the contact also creates an opportunity to connect people with longer-term services.
“The goal, again, is not just for a one-day response,” Walker said. “As of today, we’ve helped 876 people exit homelessness this year. There’s a lot more need, and we’re trying to work with every single one.”
How North Texans can help
OurCalling is asking the public to donate bottled water, sunblock, sunglasses, hats, cooling neck wraps and shelf-stable snack packs.
The nonprofit also needs volunteers to help serve meals, provide resources at the Navigation Center or accompany street outreach teams. Financial donations support the extended operating hours, vehicles, fuel and other costs connected to the heat response.
“It takes a lot of people and a lot of coordination,” Walker said. “We need the entire community to help us.”
North Texans can also download the free OurCalling app to report the location of someone experiencing homelessness. Outreach teams can use that information to locate the person and connect them with services.
Donations and additional information are available at ourcalling.org/hot.
OurCalling’s Navigation Center is at 1702 South Cesar Chavez Boulevard in Dallas.
