As dangerously cold temperatures are headed to North Texas this weekend, volunteers and employees from Austin Street Center and OurCalling rushed Thursday to set up hundreds of stretchers at the inclement weather shelter in Fair Park.
The city of Dallas, in collaboration with these two organizations that serve the homeless community, is setting up a temporary shelter that will open at 4 p.m. Friday at Fair Park’s Automobile Building, 3809 Grand Ave.
The shelter’s capacity is about 1,300 people, and it will remain open until nighttime temperatures rise above freezing.
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Resources at the shelter
In the shelter, people will have access to blankets, warm meals, water and Wi-Fi, said Wayne Walker, pastor and executive director of OurCalling.
North Texas Behavioral Health Authority will be providing mental health professionals. The shelter will also have paramedics from Dallas Fire-Rescue. Parkland Hospital System is also providing resources.
“We’ll be able to provide all those agencies in one space,” Walker said. “That’s the benefit of having one location, so that we can do more than just give people a cot and some hot meals,” Walker said.
People will be allowed to bring their pets, and Dallas Animal Services will be on hand to assist.
OurCalling staffers Fahdel Scriven and security officer Daniel Williams set up stretchers at the inclement weather shelter in Fair Park, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Dallas. As dangerously cold temperatures are headed to North Texas this weekend, volunteers and employees from Austin Street Center and OurCalling set up hundreds of stretchers on Thursday at the inclement weather shelter in Fair Park.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
Everyone welcome
Daniel Roby, executive director of Austin Street Center, said everyone was welcome at the shelter, and asked the community to spread the word about the space’s availability so no one is exposed to dangerous temperatures.
“We are trying to do everything we can to make sure people don’t die on the streets, but they’re able to come in,” Roby said.
Organizers are asking people not to arrive at the shelter before opening time, as their teams are working to set up the space.
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Walker urged the community, if they see someone experiencing homelessness, and if it’s an emergency, to call 911. If not, he said to use the OurCalling app and report that location so his team can go there and bring the person to the shelter.
The city of Dallas street response teams, alongside the fire department, plan to patrol the streets and help transport residents experiencing homelessness to the Fair Park shelter.
Volunteer Don Carey, 61 of Richardson, left, helps to set up stretchers at the inclement weather shelter in Fair Park, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Dallas. As dangerously cold temperatures are headed to North Texas this weekend, volunteers and employees from Austin Street Center and OurCalling set up hundreds of stretchers on Thursday at the inclement weather shelter in Fair Park.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
Volunteers and donations needed
On Thursday, volunteers were unpacking stretchers and setting them up ahead of Friday’s opening.
“On Sunday at church, our pastor was talking about loving everyone, love all people,” said volunteer Don Carey, 61, from Richardson. “So this is one way to help one group of people who need help.”
Donations are still needed, especially for blankets and sweatpants, organizers said. For monetary donations, Amazon wish lists and sign-up slots for volunteering opportunities are available on the organization’s websites.
Roby and Walker are asking people to drop off donations at the offices of either OurCalling, 1702 S. Cesar Chavez Blvd., or Austin Street Center, 1717 Jeffries St., instead of the Fair Park shelter for better coordination.
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Dallas inclement weather shelter
Time: Intake will start at 4 p.m. on Friday
Location: Fair Park’s Automobile Building, 3809 Grand Ave.
More information: www.dallascitynews.net.