Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center is being used as a “decompression center” housing unaccompanied minors who have journeyed across the U.S.-Mexico border from Central America. Prayer and advocacy are needed to create a better future for our neighbors fleeing from and those remaining in violence, climate disaster zones, and poverty in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
Two hundred boys arrived Wednesday night, and more than 2,300 could be housed at a given time. Each will stay 3-5 days, during which time their immediate basic needs will be met and arrangements made for them to be placed with family or other vetted custodians elsewhere in the United States.
Bishop McKee is joining other judicatory leaders in partnering with Catholic Charities of Dallas, UNITE Greater Dallas, Faith Forward Dallas at Thanksgiving Square and Dallas Area Interfaith to assist in this effort.
Catholic Charities is currently looking for volunteers (preferably Spanish-speaking) to:
Monitor various spaces
Escort youth to various spaces
Listen to and assist youth with basic needs
Engage youth in fun activities
Assist onsite with various tasks to assist daily operations
Help provide a positive environment
Four volunteer shifts per day are available, and approximately 50 volunteers are needed for each shift. If you are interested and available to volunteer, indicate your interest by emailing volunteer@ccdallas.org.
Additionally, there is a need for attorneys to provide pro-bono legal assistance; those interested in that role may register here.
Please download the PDF below that outlines additional volunteer details. More information will be communicated as it becomes available. My thanks for your continued welcoming witness in our community.