A Podcast by OurCalling—the goal is to be a learner. What can we learn about serving those experiencing homelessness? Even though we have years of experience, can we step back, take a fresh look, and rethink everything we know? OurCalling is a Christian nonprofit (501 c3) serving the homeless community throughout Dallas County in Texas. Our team helps people get to know Jesus and get off the streets every day. Last year, we helped individuals exit homelessness over 1,300 times. We have a facility in downtown Dallas, and our street outreach teams visit over 4,000 locations throughout the county. We serve about 10,000 individuals experiencing homelessness each year. We partner with the most amazing organizations and recognize that we are stronger when we work together.
OurCalling - Our podcast about homelessness
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Podcast Overview
A Podcast by OurCalling—the goal is to be a learner. What can we learn about serving those experiencing homelessness? Even though we have years of experience, can we step back, take a fresh look, and rethink everything we know? OurCalling is a Christian nonprofit (501 c3) serving the homeless community throughout Dallas County in Texas. Our team helps people get to know Jesus and get off the streets every day. Last year, we helped individuals exit homelessness over 1,300 times. We have a facility in downtown Dallas, and our street outreach teams visit over 4,000 locations throughout the county. We serve about 10,000 individuals experiencing homelessness each year. We partner with the most amazing organizations and recognize that we are stronger when we work together.
Language
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Publishing Since
3/28/2024
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Recent Episodes
October 21, 2024
The Relationship Between a Nonprofit and a Church Partner-ft. Zac Whitley
<p>In this episode, Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO of OurCalling, interviews Zac Whitley, the Director of City Engagement at Watermark Community Church. They delve into the church's strategic approach to engaging with local nonprofits in sectors such as education, incarceration, poverty alleviation, and homelessness. Whitley shares insights on creating effective partnerships by aligning missions, finding the partnership sweet spot, and mobilizing volunteers for shared discipleship opportunities. The discussion also touches on the significance of relationship-driven approaches to volunteering, emphasizing deep personal involvement and strategic volunteer integration to enhance community impact.<br>***************</p><p>- **Zac Whitley's Role** (00:50): Zac Whitley is the Director of City Engagement at Watermark Community Church.</p><p>- **Focus Areas of Engagement at Watermark** (01:01-01:24): The church focuses on local missions in various sectors including schools, prisons, poverty alleviation, and homelessness, working with 20 nonprofit partners.</p><p>- **Key Strategies for Successful Partnerships** (03:22-04:35): Whitley discusses three main strategies for creating effective church-nonprofit partnerships: being on mission together, finding a partnership sweet spot between biblical commands and community needs, and mobilizing volunteers for mutual discipleship opportunities.</p><p>- **Watermark’s Partnership Perspective** (04:57-06:36): The church seeks alignment where its mission coincides with nonprofit missions, emphasizing mutual discipleship among both the homeless and the volunteers.</p><p>- **Exclusivity in Partnerships** (06:36-07:21): Watermark chooses not to partner with organizations that don’t share a focus on evangelism or allow volunteers to share the gospel.</p><p>- **Practical Impact of Partnerships** (10:28-11:34): Emphasis is placed on engaging in partnerships that align with Watermark's values, such as relationship and discipleship, and development over relief.</p><p>- **Adaptation to Nonprofit Needs** (12:08-13:09): Whitley emphasizes adapting to the nonprofit’s operational rhythm and not over-imposing, ensuring meaningful contributions without creating burdens for the partner.</p><p>- **Church’s Role in Addressing Social Issues** (16:20-17:45): Highlighting personal connection and pastoral care even in organizational relationships, reflecting the deep personal involvement required to address social issues effectively.</p><p>- **Volunteer Mobilization and Impact** (35:05-36:02): Whitley articulates the importance of ensuring volunteer activities are impactful, avoiding redundant or unhelpful contributions that do not align with the host organization's strategic needs.</p><p>- **Fostering Deep Community Engagement** (42:06-44:22): How personal connections within the church can catalyze powerful partnerships and engagements with nonprofits, demonstrated by proactive engagement from both individual church members and church leadership.</p><p>- **Scaling Impact Through Strategic Volunteer Integration** (50:43-50:46): Whitley suggests nonprofits encourage church members who are already volunteering to advocate within their churches to institutionalize support and partnership.</p><p>These points gravitate around the practices and philosophies that underpin successful, transformative partnerships between religious organizations and nonprofits, focusing on shared missions, strategic integration, and mutual respect for each organization's capabilities and needs.</p> <strong> <a href="https://www.ourcalling.org%20" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast ★">★ Support this podcast ★</a> </strong>
September 23, 2024
Feeding Souls and Bodies: Street Church with the homeless-ft. Soul Church Leon Birdd
<p>In this episode, Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO of OurCalling interviews Leon Byrd, who shares his transformative journey from construction work to a life dedicated to faith and serving the needy. Byrd details his personal conversion and ongoing battle with old habits, his commitment to helping the homeless inspired by impactful encounters, and the evolution of his ministry, which includes regular large-scale food distributions and full church services for the homeless featuring multiple preachers and bands. He discusses overcoming logistical challenges and highlights the diverse community attending his services, from street prostitutes to affluent individuals, all united by their spiritual needs. The conversation also touches on the support from local businesses that has been crucial in facilitating his outreach efforts in stable locations.<br>***************</p><p>- **00:46-03:52:** Leon Byrd discusses his transformative personal journey, which began with a life-changing conversation about Jesus with a friend while doing construction work, leading to his decision to pursue a life of faith and service.</p><p>- **04:14-04:28:** After his personal conversion, Byrd discusses continuing to beat old habits while attending a Promise Keepers event, highlighting the profound positive change he experienced.</p><p>- **05:26-05:56:** Byrd shares the impactful encounter that spurred his dedication to serving the homeless, beginning with assisting a disabled man, which led him to feed the homeless regularly.</p><p>- **07:22-07:52:** He recounts an inspirational story of a man with severe brain surgeries who continued to feed the homeless despite his disabilities, influencing Leon to continue his work.</p><p>- **08:26-09:21:** Byrd begins to help other individuals directly involved in homelessness service, illustrating the start of a service-driven community and his own deeper engagement.</p><p>- **10:16-10:41:** His commitment expands as he organizes more structured assistance for the needy by delegating responsibilities to sustain the outreach efforts.</p><p>- **11:18-12:02:** Leon Byrd reflects on the realization that his challenges growing up were preparation for his calling to serve those in need, thus accepting and embracing his life’s purpose.</p><p>- **12:11-12:48:** Byrd discusses the growth of his ministry, emphasizing regular large-scale food distribution to various congregations and continuous personal involvement in direct aid and mentorship.</p><p>- **14:10-17:21:** He details the progression from handing out food and beverages from the back of a truck to hosting full church services for the homeless, involving multiple preachers and musical bands to create an enriching spiritual environment.</p><p>- **18:04-20:47:** Byrd highlights the diverse community that gathers at the church service, from street prostitutes to affluent individuals, all finding common ground in their spiritual needs and expressions.</p><p>- **22:20-23:51:** Discusses the logistical challenges and location changes of his ministry over the years, including interactions with authorities and community members due to legal constraints around feeding the homeless.</p><p>- **25:28-28:21:** Leon narrates a supportive anecdote involving a business owner who provided space for Soul Church services and other aid activities, fostering a long-term partnership that enabled continued service delivery in a stable location.</p> <strong> <a href="https://www.ourcalling.org%20" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast ★">★ Support this podcast ★</a> </strong>
September 9, 2024
From Streets to Stability: The Critical Role of Expanded Shelter Services-ft. Dr. David Woody
<p>In this episode, Pastor Wayne Walker, CEO of OurCalling, interviews Dr. David Woody, who has significantly impacted The Bridge as its President and CEO, steering its evolution through challenging times, particularly post-pandemic. They delve into the role of The Bridge as a critical low barrier shelter offering comprehensive services and facing a critical need for expanded capacity due to the disparity between day and night shelter capabilities. The discussion also covers the intricacies of care management, the high success rates of those housed, and the urgency for more shelters and actionable housing solutions. Furthermore, they explore the importance of data in strategic planning, community education, and collaboration with faith-based organizations to enhance the support system for the homeless.<br>***************</p><p>- **Dr. David Woody's Background** [01:31]<br>- President and CEO of The Bridge for 6 years, involved for 9 years.<br>- Significant growth and activity noticed on campus since the pandemic.</p><p>- **Role of The Bridge** [02:10, 02:43]<br>- A low barrier shelter helping single adults aged 18 and older.<br>- Provides comprehensive day and night services including food, showers, and canine kennels.</p><p>- **Capacity and Demand Issues** [03:36]<br>- Current facilities face a large disparity between day (700) and night (approx. 400) shelter capacities, resulting in many unsheltered individuals.</p><p>- **Evolution of Services at The Bridge** [08:56]<br>- Focus on recovery and crafting individualized care and housing plans based on the specific needs (health, mental health, substance use) of the guests.</p><p>- **Care Management and Success Rates** [11:57, 12:42]<br>- Emphasis on diverse care management teams assisting with recovery, intensive needs, and sustaining housing post-placement.<br>- High success rate with 93% of housed individuals remaining in housing at 6 months.</p><p>- **Importance of More Shelter Beds and Housing** [05:54, 16:24]<br>- Urgent need for more shelters to accommodate growing numbers, and a push for actionable resources to turn funding into housing solutions.</p><p>- **Complexities of Housing Vouchers and Collaboration with Landlords** [16:53]<br>- Challenges with finding adequate and accepting housing options for guests with ready-to-use vouchers.</p><p>- **Data Integration and Utilization** [29:10, 29:48]<br>- Importance of improving data analysis and accuracy beyond point-in-time counts to better support strategic planning and resource allocation.</p><p>- **Racial and Community Equity** [30:17, 32:09, 33:12]<br>- Discusses the disproportion of African American guests at The Bridge and the need to address upstream barriers and inequities in community resources.</p><p>- **Collaboration with Faith-Based Organizations** [39:17]<br>- The Bridge values partnerships with faith groups to address spiritual needs as part of comprehensive care for guests.</p><p>- **Individual Stories of Impact** [41:11]<br>- Highlighting personal transformations and ongoing connections that illustrate the profound effect of The Bridge's services on individuals' lives.</p><p>- **Community and Public Education** [34:26]<br>- Importance of educating the public on effective strategies to support the homeless, maximizing the impact of resources.</p><p><br></p> <strong> <a href="https://www.ourcalling.org%20" rel="payment" title="★ Support this podcast ★">★ Support this podcast ★</a> </strong>
17 total episodes available
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- What is OurCalling - Our podcast about homelessness?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 8 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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