By Heather Mustain, associate pastor
In the fall of 2023, a group of Wilshire members gathered for our first ever Collective Consciousness Cohort on the state of housing in Dallas. Over six weeks, this group listened to community experts discuss factors that impact our neighbors’ ability to secure housing that is affordable, available and safe. The goal of our cohort was, of course, to listen and learn, but ultimately to put that learning into something actionable.
One issue we heard about repeatedly was the unaffordability of rent and the number of evictions caused as a result, particularly for families. With the elimination of federal COVID funding, many nonprofits who stood in this gap could no longer do so, leaving people with nowhere to turn and service providers strapped.
As the cohort dreamed, discussed and discerned what might be ours to do, Wilshire’s Missions Plus fund received a $75,000 gift earmarked for the care of the widowed and orphaned. It was a moment when our desires to help aligned with the movement of the Spirit.
In April, a small and dedicated group of volunteers designed and executed a low-barrier rental and utility assistance program that sought to serve any neighbor in Dallas County who needed help with one month’s rent, mortgage payment or utility bill.
Wilshire, here’s what we did:
From April to September, when our funds ran out, we served 43 households who lived in 23 zip codes. Of these households, nearly 70% included children. The average amount given was around $1,800; the smallest gift was $146, and the largest was $6,636. Two thirds of these neighbors were employed, many with multiple jobs.
Half of these households found themselves behind in rent because of a reduction of work hours or an unexpected layoff, while another 10% had experienced an unexpected health crisis.
Here’s what we know:
Over the last month, we reached out to all 43 households we served and reached 31 of them. We discovered that 71% of these households were stabilized — meaning our one-time gift made a tremendous difference in a household’s journey toward housing security. In fact, only one of the 31 households reached was presently at risk of eviction.
Change is always hard to capture by data alone, but we feel encouraged that we are making a lasting difference in the lives of our neighbors while also providing a sacred opportunity for our members to have life-changing encounters.
And while this effort alone will not solve the complex issue of housing in our city, it pairs well with our continued local advocacy efforts at City Hall and beyond. At Wilshire, we want to focus on both missions and advocacy and the ways in which they intersect to create meaningful change for ourselves and our neighbors.
Here’s what we heard:
“I have a job now working with people with autism. Since Wilshire gave to me, I want to also give back to the community.”
“Thank you for treating me like a human being.”
“I am tremendously grateful … I want you to know that I now have a goal of repaying you when I get through this difficult time. I want to be a part of making this financial blessing possible for others who turn to you for help. Thank you again for doing God’s work.”
Here’s what we hope to do:
For our second year, we hope to refine and expand the program. The gift given to Missions Plus has been reinstated, so we are starting out on the same financial footing as last year. Our hope, however, is to find additional funding to do even more. Our real hope would be to build a coalition of congregations in our neighborhood who would want to support one or two families, making this a joint effort. Because of the tremendous need and the fact that 70% of those we served were families, this year we intend to serve only households with children.
This program would not have been possible without the 16 of you who volunteered your time, wisdom, love, passion and compassion. And, of course, Wilshire staff members Abbey Adcox and Lori Gooden. Thank you to those who volunteered this past year.
We’d love to have more volunteers to meet with those who apply to the program. We’ll conduct training in January, so email me for more info at hmustain@wilshirebc.org. Thank you, Wilshire, for your continued generosity of mind and talent — for the ways you are not afraid to say yes to God’s and the Spirit’s movement in our world. May we always continue dreaming … and doing.
In 2025, we will launch our second Collective Consciousness Cohort, this time focusing on reproductive justice. Stay tuned!