Refugee Services of Texas is closing; the Dallas service center in Lake Highlands is closing its doors too
Dallas, Texas – Refugee Services of Texas, a devoted agency providing critical assistance to displaced persons, has announced it is succumbing to financial strain and must cease operations. The non-profit shared on May 10 its intent to restructure due to a harsh budget crisis. However, despite their best efforts, recovery proved unattainable, leading to the more solemn announcement on May 26 about the impending closure.
By July, the agency will be entirely closed, though services to clients have already been discontinued, confirmed by spokesperson Chris Kelley.
The Texas-based organization has a rich history dating back to 1978 and is well-known for its tireless work resettling refugees. According to the issued press statement, the organization has aided over 26,000 refugees, facilitating their resettlement. The Dallas service center, the agency’s pioneering outpost, has been a haven for refugees originating from more than 30 different nations.
“This agency has faithfully carried out its mission to serve vulnerable populations … and has touched thousands of lives along the way,” Refugee Services of Texas CEO David McKeever said in a news release. “This decision was not made lightly. The board carefully examined every option and took crucial steps in the weeks leading up to this decision in an attempt to recover [Refugee Services of Texas’] remaining operations after severe budget shortfalls, but we are now forced to close our doors.”
In the transition period, the agency’s current refugee clients won’t be left in limbo. They will be referred to alternate state or national refugee resettlement programs, as the statement reassures.
Beyond Dallas, Refugee Services of Texas maintains centers in Amarillo, Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio. The Dallas center, situated at 11880 Greenville Ave., Ste. 130, Dallas, has been a beacon of hope for decades. Despite the impending closure, the spirit of service can still be found on their website at www.rstx.org.
