As volunteers for DASH in any capacity, it’s important to understand our program, services, mission, philosophy, and vision. Most of this information can be found throughout our website, but we have condensed it to one page for easy access.
Our Approach
Motivation:
In Luke Chapter 4, Jesus reached the Synagogue in Nazareth to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah that He has come to fulfill:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
We are motivated by Jesus’ example to love and serve the poor and persecuted. The Spirit of God has stirred something in us, calling us to serve asylum seekers in a way that both proclaims the good news of Christ and offers a glimpse of His servant heart to the community. This is our motivation.
Mission:
In response to the compassionate and welcoming love of Jesus, DASH Network exists to love asylum seekers by serving their physical and relational needs.
Method:
How do we show the love of Christ?
- First, by serving our resident’s physical needs: housing, food, and basic toiletries.
- Second, by creating spaces where volunteers and residents can address relational needs: relationship to others, to self, to the world, and to God.
This love-focused, two-handed approach is our philosophy and methodology.
Note on reciprocity:
In all that we do, DASH Network aims to foster reciprocal relationships. Even though our residents are unable to work and provide for their physical needs, they contribute to DASH in many valuable ways through their cultures, wisdom, and skills; our heart is to walk alongside our residents as partners and co-creators of DASH. Additionally, we have found that being in relationship with our residents also improves our staff and volunteers’ relationships to others, self, the world, and God. We consider ourselves highly blessed to get to work alongside such beautiful and culturally diverse people.
Our Services
Housing:
The majority of our residents live either in an apartment complex or duplex near downtown Fort Worth. This location provides our residents with access to the bus route, hospital district, and some of Fort Worth’s best public schools. In addition, we have a few host homes throughout DFW.
Food:
Dash Network partners with Tarrant Area Food Bank, Vandervoort Dairy, Central Market, and local food banks. With the help of volunteers, groceries are personally delivered to the residents in our program each week.
Friendship:
Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We desire that every resident would find meaningful relationships and community while in DASH. To this end, each resident is paired with 1-2 advocates, who meet together at least twice per month.
This is a mutually beneficial relationship where volunteers and residents learn about one another’s cultures and support each other through genuine friendship.
Many additional opportunities exist for residents to develop friendships with volunteers in DASH – at ESL classes, having an English Conversation Partner, through outings and sporting events, etc.
Equipping:
DASH Network seeks to provide a dignified and holistic program for each of our residents. For this reason, we offer the Thrive Academy and social services to equip residents for life after DASH.
Our hope is to help DASH residents create a firm foundation upon which they can build in order to succeed in life after DASH. To overcome some of the biggest barriers to independence, Thrive Academy will be developing success plans for each resident in the areas of job preparation, health/spiritual wellness, transportation, and ESL. This educational program will partner with other local programs and churches to ensure that DASH residents have as many resources available to them as possible. Thrive Academy walks alongside our residents, encouraging them to be active and willing participants in their own success and development, while also seeking to steward their well being, experiences, and capabilities.
Our Vision
DASH Network exists to glorify God by providing care for one of the most vulnerable populations in our community – those seeking asylum.
