2017

Clarify SB4 with immigrants and police departments.  Persuade Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Dallas Police to accept parish IDs.  Partner with Texas IAF to preserve $4.5 Million in job training funding.  Force election runoff in District 6 and turn out 400 votes.

2016

Organize to strengthen the City of Dallas rental housing code.  Launch inequality campaign. Renew efforts to strengthen community and police relationships.

2015

Launch intensive neighborhood organizing campaigns in Bachman Lake and Oak Cliff.  Skill QUEST on track to enroll 200 students by year end. DME serves almost 1,000 clients, giving 1,450+ pieces of equipment since inception. Work with Texas IAF organizations to secure $5 million from the state legislature for long-term job-training programs.

2014

500 attend May rally, “A Cry for Immigration Reform and a Call to Local Action”. Kick off Wage Theft campaign. Kick off Worker Rest Break campaign. Hold workshops with over 400 possible “Deferred Action” (DACA) candidates to defer or stop removal proceedings from the United States.

2013

Join other Texas groups in Austin for Medicaid Matters march, converging on the capitol steps to advocate healthcare coverage for those below 100% of poverty level. 

2012

Durable Medical Equipment Exchange (DME) opens to collect, refurbish, and recycle used medical equipment to provide for those without the ability to pay for the needed equipment. Campaign to expand Medicaid coverage in Texas to cover those ineligible for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance exchanges. Over 5,000 signatures collected, delivered to legislature.

“Cut Your Cost” booklet explains eligibility and financial aid in new insurance exchange. Educate over 95,000 about ACA in community workshops and through booklet distribution. President Obama greets DAI to thank us for our work supporting ACA.

QUEST: Dallas/Collin becomes Skill QUEST (now a separate nonprofit). Skill QUEST graduates first 10 students.

2011

Parents organize in the Bachman Lake area, when the local Head Start facility closes, stranding 240 children. Parents work with DISD to place children in public school Head Start. Six classrooms for Head Start promised for new neighborhood school.

2010-2011

“Know your rights workshops” attract over 1,000 immigrants in eight different DAI congregations. DME becomes separate nonprofit with IRS designation as 501(c)3 organization.

2009

Join with other Texas IAF organizations to secure $15 million in state funding for long-term job training programs. In collaboration with Project Quest-San Antonio, DAI creates QUEST: Dallas/Collin job training program with $400,000 from the State of Texas, $24,000 from the City of Dallas.

2008

Host Plano forum on Immigration Reform to prevent discrimination in local ordinances. Get-out-thevote sessions and neighborhood walks support the Parkland Hospital bond vote, which passes by 85%. In small group meetings over 3,000 DAI leaders say health coverage number one issue. DAI begins work to create Durable Medical Equipment Exchange. DAI begins work to increase local health care access.

2005-2007

Organize Katrina survivors in Collin and Dallas Counties, winning $52 million in housing vouchers. Katrina Survivors Network focuses on employment, job training, access to health care.

Secure $500,000 in additional funds from county for indigent health care in Collin County and improve eligibility requirements. Hold academies about Public School Finance and testify before Sharp Committee to stop sales tax increase.

Major campaign to increase funding for Dallas police officer recruitment and training, growing the force by over 600 and dramatically reducing Dallas crime rate.

Working with sister Texas Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) organizations, improve eligibility standards for CHIP and children’s Medicaid, enabling health coverage for additional 300,000 Texas children. Work with the Mexican consulate and Dallas police to provide 2100 matricula consulars, a form of ID for Mexican nationals living in the U.S. Hold academies on Financial Markets vs. Public Good and on Taxation.

2001

Massive get-out-the-vote drive to pass DISD bonds, bringing hundreds of parents into conversation with DISD officials and into more involvement with their children’s schools.

1997-2002

21 ESL and citizenship classes operate in DAI member communities with over 1,000 participants per semester. DAI is primary force in opening additional local INS office to speed processing of immigrants applying for legal status. Help create funding to build affordable homes in South Dallas with $450,000 from City of Dallas and $3.5 million from Nations Bank for mortgages. Over 40 new homes built.

1996

DAI named “Best Political Movement” in Dallas Observer “Best of Dallas”.

1997

Alliance Schools program begins at Roosevelt High, culminating in 10 schools working with DAI. Grawyler Park Recreation Center funded for Love Field area. Work Paths, DAI’s first job training program, launches.

1996-1999

Campaign for After School programs secures initial funding from City of Dallas Parks Dept. for DAI schools. DAI eventually wins DISD funding for after-school programs in all elementary schools.

1994-1996

Community Policing campaign: Dallas Police Chief Ben Click signs agreement in 1995 to work with DAI congregations throughout city.

Gov. Ann Richards, many state representatives attend founding convention. Promise $1 million for job training.

1990-1994

Initial organizing of Dallas Area Interfaith Sponsoring Committee with Lead Organizer Sister Christine Stephens and Ernesto Cortes Jr.