(Special to The Dallas Examiner) – The City of Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions is leading the charge in creating lasting, impactful change for the unsheltered community. OHS is at the forefront of implementing strategic initiatives that go beyond short-term aid.
By focusing on comprehensive programs that link the giving of resources with supportive services and pathways to housing, they aim to tackle the multifaceted issues that contribute to homelessness. These initiatives include job training, mental health services, substance abuse rehabilitation and affordable housing projects. This holistic approach ensures that people experiencing homelessness receive the support required to break the cycle and regain stability.
This event is a part of the larger Give Responsibly Campaign, launched by OHS to encourage Dallasites to donate to organizations that offer supportive services rather than giving directly or contributing to “street charity.” This approach fosters a more informed and supportive community, promoting long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
As an expansion to the Give Responsibly Campaign, OHS is hosting the City’s first sanctioned street charity event Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the corner of Corsicana and Browder in Downtown Dallas.
During this event, OHS and area service providers will partner with individuals and organizations to provide direct giving in combination with longer-term services and pathways to housing. The event will rotate through the city, hosted by a different partner each month, providing equitable access to all.
The goal is to facilitate services in a safe manner that does not contribute to community concerns such as increased litter, which has been identified as one of multiple detriments to actions otherwise deemed commendable. Data shows a staggering amount of litter, 2,700 pounds, was collected over the Thanksgiving weekend alone from carts in areas frequented by street charity initiatives.
“Ending homelessness is a community-wide effort. We understand that it pulls on your heart strings when you see an unsheltered neighbor, but we need residents of Dallas to support the Give Responsibly Campaign,” Deputy City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert expressed enthusiastically. “Giving through the GRC ensures that your donation is added to ongoing efforts from Dallas area partners and city-based initiatives designed to provide permanent supportive housing, mental and health care services, clothing, food and resources.”
While the downtown Dallas area has become the hub for street charity, it has always been the source of support that is available to the homeless. Within a seven-mile radius there are five shelters, multiple day centers and organizations with outreach teams and services wherein the homeless can receive support for their immediate needs while they are placed on the path towards a better quality of life and off the streets.
Direct street charity with no tie back to the existing area services allows individuals to stay actively unsheltered. In this way, street charity has more negative effects on individuals experiencing homelessness than just creating trash and litter.
“When faced with the complex problems associated with homelessness, the City must take unique and proactive steps to do our jobs in helping the unsheltered. I am glad to see that we are starting to make progress in this regard with programs such as this,” stated District 2 Councilmember Jesse Moreno.
As a city and a community, we can harness these efforts to fulfill the needs of our neighbors with dignity and compassion while promoting systemic change.
For more information on how to participate in a city-sanctioned street-feeding event, please visit dallashomelesssolutions.com or email ohsinfo@dallas.gov.