Loving Our Unsheltered Neighbor

The Apostle Matthew wrote that Jesus said, “Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” That message resonates powerfully for those who see the growing crisis of homelessness in our city—not as a political issue, but as a spiritual calling.

Poverty is all around us. We don’t have to drive more than a mile from the Park Cities to encounter someone experiencing homelessness on the streets of Dallas. In fact, in a 2024 resident survey, homelessness was ranked the #1 issue facing our city.

But to find real solutions, we must first understand the problem. Homelessness is not just the absence of housing or sleeping outdoors—it’s often a condition rooted in hopelessness, shaped by years of trauma, abuse, addiction, and isolation. All of which can sow the seeds of chronic mental illness.

“Yes, subsidized housing and shelters are part of the answer. However, a meaningful percentage of our homeless population suffer from complex life issues that cannot immediately benefit from these interventions,” said Juliana Williams, Chief Advancement Officer at OurCalling. “Countless studies reveal that more is needed: food, safety, healthcare, employment—and above all, a healthy community connection.”

That holistic approach is what drew parishioner Joe Colonnetta to OurCalling. “A few years ago, I began searching for an organization that approached homelessness holistically—one that cared for the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs of our unsheltered neighbors,” Joe shared. “The Reverend Ken Brannon led me to OurCalling, and I’ve never seen anything like it.”

What truly sets OurCalling apart is its faith-inspired and innovative approach to homelessness. “OurCalling doesn’t aim to relocate people but to restore lives—one person at a time,” Joe explained. “Each individual is treated with dignity, not as a problem to be solved or part of a camp to be cleared, but as a person to be loved and empowered.

Joe, along with his wife Kimberly and their son Damon, has volunteered with OurCalling and witnessed its mission in action.

This isn’t just another charity offering short-term relief. Through their Street Outreach Teams and a one-of-a-kind Navigation Center south of downtown, OurCalling walks alongside people in crisis—helping them move from the streets toward hope, healing, and long-term stability. Their mission is clear: Restoration vs. Relocation.

That mission aligns deeply with Christian values: to love people as Christ loves us—relentlessly, patiently, and with the belief that everyone is made in the image of God, deserving of a community and capable of flourishing. And what’s more, it works.

Their model is smart, strategic, and scalable. They’ve developed proprietary technology to track every interaction and measure real impact, ensuring every effort leads to transformation, not just temporary relief. This technology includes a powerful app used by their Street Outreach Teams to monitor unsheltered neighbors’ locations, log their issues and needs, and connect them with the most appropriate of OurCalling’s 800 Resource Partners. The system uses AI—much like Match.com—to match individuals with the services best suited to help them move off the streets. The results speak for themselves.

OurCalling has helped thousands of people like Willie. “Honestly, he’s someone many of us might have walked past with hesitation or even fear,” Juliana mentioned.

Willie struggled with addiction and lived on the streets for decades. He was part of a large encampment, and one night, in a moment of deep desperation, he cried out to God: “If You’re out there, please send someone to save me.” The very next day, one of OurCalling’s Street Outreach Teams found him and offered him a path forward.

“He was ready,” Juliana said. “His motivation? He wanted to get sober and see his grandkids again.

OurCalling connected him with one of their Resource Partners for a program tailored to his specific needs—just an hour from his grandchildren. Willie completed the program, found sober housing, got a job, bought a car, and now sees his grandchildren regularly.