We prepare teams of leaders to:
Dallas Area Interfaith (DAI) is about people: developing skill sets, bringing people together, and encouraging them to take action. As one of our leaders is so fond of saying: “The work is us.”
We are committed to tackling pressing issues that deeply impact our communities, from income inequality and homelessness to systemic racism and lack of adequate healthcare access.
Here’s what we have achieved as a collective group:
Safe and Healthy Homes for All
In response to deplorable living conditions in rental units across Dallas, some of the quietest community leaders from immigrant congregations learned to confront landlords, secure the support of African-American and Jewish allies, and negotiate with adversaries. They succeeded in overhauling the City of Dallas housing code to create the “best rental housing code in the state of Texas and are now working to ensure proper enforcement of that code.
Community and Police Relationships
After a shooting of police officers and protesters that left five officers dead, DAI clergy declared, “There is a repentance that has to happen in this nation.” DAI is working with congregations and community institutions to build and strengthen community-police relationships for greater accountability, trust and change.
Examples: overhauling Dallas recruitment processes, responding to after shootings of African American men – creating a space for conversation and healing, and now working to address SB4.
Parish Identification
Developed in the context of federal and state policy failures that fomented fear among immigrants, DAI negotiated widespread acceptance of church identification cards with police, health care, and other public entities. This innovative response to fear allowed immigrant parishioners to participate with greater confidence in public life. Photo: Texas Catholic / Revista Católica.
Strengthening the Hand of Labor
DAI has been at the center of several efforts to defend workers' dignity, including wage theft prevention, safer working conditions and the formalization of rest and water breaks for construction workers laboring in the Texas heat. Photo Credit: Workers Defense Project - Dallas
Congregational Development
DAI leadership training helps congregations identify and develop leaders, deepen relationships within the congregation, and become effective in the public arena. Photo Credit: Alan Pogue.