Dallas, Texas
Urban Poverty
Trip Type
Connect Trip - These trips are primarily hands-on service. They focus on how to actively develop partners in your own neighborhoods so that, together with your neighbors, you can work to make your community a place where all people can thrive.​ Learn more about the different between Connect Trips and Reach Trips by clicking here.
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Ages
Elementary Aged Students, Middle School Students, High School Students, College Students, Adults, Intergenerational groups​
Maximum Group Size
20 people, including adults
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Available Dates​
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June 22 to 27, 2025
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June 29 to July 4, 2025
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July 6 to 10, 2025
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Dallas, Texas, is a city of contrasts, where the bustling economic hub of the DFW Metroplex meets some of the state's most pressing social challenges. While the city is known for its thriving business sector, entertainment attractions, and sports teams, it is also home to a significant number of refugees and immigrants, creating vibrant, diverse neighborhoods. Within this dynamic landscape, Dallas harbors both immense wealth and deep poverty, with some of the state’s richest and poorest zip codes side by side.
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During a Be The Neighbor trip focused on Urban Poverty in Dallas, participants will explore the root causes and the impacts of poverty and the ways in which communities are called to respond. From a base in North Dallas, groups will serve in community gardens, food pantries, and affordable housing centers, gaining firsthand insight into the daily struggles faced by families living at or below the poverty line. Participants will also spend time with families experiencing homelessness, offering a chance to understand the challenges of food insecurity, housing instability, and limited resources. Through hands-on service and critical reflection, your group will witness how local organizations are tackling these issues and come away with a deeper understanding of how you can act in your own communities to address poverty and inequality.
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Your group will explore how the topics you’re learning about are relevant to your own community and will develop a plan for how you can continue this work when you get home. Be The Neighbor weeks are learning and launching trips, meaning participants will leave the week equipped to live lives of love, service, and justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and dignity-affirming!
Be The Neighbor’s summer programming begins on Sunday evening and concludes on Friday morning. You may stay an additional night to explore see the city in this location for an additional $10 per person. Check out is 10 am Saturday morning.
Trip costs follow our equitable pricing model. You can read more about it here. We want everyone to be able to participate no matter their financial realities. Regardless of which level you select, your trip includes:
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A simple breakfast, lunch and snack Monday morning through Friday morning
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A dedicated Site Director and Intern(s) to facilitate your week
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Fully planned service and educational experiences
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Theological reflections created to engage participants in connecting what they are learning to their faith
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Lodging, including showers, dedicated sleeping rooms, gathering rooms, and kitchens use - most sites include air mattresses or cots for all of your participants
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Costs covered for honorariums for speakers, activities, supplies for projects with community partners, and any entrance fees for educational experiences
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A reusable water bottle for each participant
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Discussion guides for small groups on Reach trips and small group interactive education led by BTN staff on Connect trips
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Journals for each participant
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Online orientation for your adult leaders
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A coupon code to get t-shirts at-cost (shirts will be included at the Neighbor pricing level)
Please note that your group will be responsible for dinners and transportation during the week.