DFW Asylum Seeker Housing Network Inc

DASH residents are eligible for the program for the duration of their work permit wait as well as an additional five months to establish a financial runway and prepare to successfully graduate. DASH Network's goals for residents include: obtaining safe and secure housing for the duration of their work permit wait, enrolling all children in school, achieving a conversational level of English by the time they obtain their work permit, securing legal assistance with their asylum case, growing their social network, empowering residents to be leaders within the community, connecting any resident who identifies with a particular religion to a local faith community of their choice, and ultimately providing a space where all residents and volunteers can experience the welcoming love of Christ through the multi-ethnic Body of Christ living on mission together.

DASH Network supports the holistic needs of residents through stable housing, nutritious food, genuine friendship, relevant equipping coursework, pro-bono legal assistance, and comprehensive case management services. DASH residents and volunteers alike seek to meet one another's social and emotional needs through life on life community and intentional relationships.

In all of the services offered, DASH seeks to embody the Church depicted in Acts 2, where "all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people."

DASH Network operates on a budget of $500,000 through the financial investments of over 150 individual donors who give on a recurring monthly basis, 8 Church Partners, 5 Foundations, as well as generous one time gifts throughout the year. The organization has 3 full-time staff members: an Executive Director, Director of Operations, Case Manager, as well as a team of committed leaders who serve with the dedication and commitment of paid staff. Volunteers serve as the Thrive Academy, Advocate Program, Food Program, Transition Support, and Communication Coordinators. Aside from core operations staff and leaders, hundreds of community members serve in various capacities to teach courses, practice English, donate in-kind goods, delivery groceries, serve as advocates, and many other vital roles. DASH Network seeks to grow in relationship with the community and a byproduct of this approach is the ability to secure over $750k worth of donated good and in-kind services for DASH residents each year.

DASH Programs also rely on partnerships with other non-profits, educational institutions and Churches. The following are some of the key collaborators for DASH programs:

Legal:
- HRI of North Texas - https://hrionline.org/
- RAICES - https://www.raicestexas.org/contact-us/

Medical Care:
- Beautiful Feet Ministries - https://thefeet.org/
- Cornerstone Assistance Network - http://www.canetwork.org/home.aspx
- Agape Clinic (Dallas) - https://www.theagapeclinic.org/

Dental Care:
- Beautiful Feet Ministries - https://thefeet.org/

Clothing:
- Cornerstone Assistance Network - http://www.canetwork.org/home.aspx
- Eastside Ministries - https://eastsidecommunityassistance.org/
- Broadway Baptist Church

Food Program Partners:
- Christian Community Assistance
- Vandervoorts Dairy
- Kroger
- Tarrant County Food Bank
- Cornerstone Assistance
- Broadway Baptist Church
- 1st Street Methodist Mission
- Southside Church of Christ

Church Partners (Financial & General Support):
- Christ Chapel
- Trinity Presbyterian Church
- FBC Arlington
- Doxology
- The Hills Church West
- Southside Church of Christ
- Broadway Baptist Church
- Grace Bible Church
- Heritage Church of Christ

Community Partners:
- Frog Aides (Texas Christian University) - Outdoor Activities & Social Support
- UNTHSC (University of North Texas Health Science Center) - Health Literacy Courses
- Jobs 4 Life - Career Preparation
- Crown Ministries - Financial Management Courses
- Center for Hope - Construction Management Training

DASH Network became an official 501(c)3 in 2017 after 5 years of functioning as a small ministry of the City Church. In these 5 years since incorporating as a non-profit, DASH Network has grown from a bed capacity of 17 to now 50 in 2021. Additionally, the budget has grown from $139,000 in 2017 to $500,000 for FY 2022. DASH Network has expanded services from focusing on food and housing to now providing comprehensive case management, legal aid, transition support, and increased social and emotional support. Over 190 people navigating the US asylum process have been served with long-term housing and support since DASH Network first started with many more to be impacted in the years to come.