Family Programs at Wesley-Rankin

At Wesley-Rankin, we know that one of the greatest sources of support and meaning can be found within families. We seek to offer activities that strengthen healthy bonds between family members.

Stand for Children
This is a national recreation day designed for and led by the community to bring awareness and information to the families about the best practices for helping them care for their children.  Organizations throughout Dallas join Wesley-Rankin in celebrating and protecting the precious gift of children.

Care4Kids and Families
This program offers opportunities for families to help themselves and their community through service to others.  By sharing their time (100 volunteer hours minimum), families receive donations in the late Summer prior to the start of the school year and at Christmas. 

Emergency Shelter
We have offered to provide emergency shelter for families during times of great need. For example, when Hurricane Rita struck the Texas coast in 2005, we invited families who had evacuated the area to stay at Wesley Rankin. We provided these families with food, bedding, and other basic needs. When a number of these persons requested that a service of prayer be held at the center, we responded with a bilingual service on Sunday afternoon that was led by Rev. Kathleen Baskin-Ball. (See photo.)

Las Posadas
Las Posadas is an Advent (Christmas) season tradition that originated in Mexico in which persons gather to reenact Mary and Joseph's quest for lodging in Bethlehem near the time of Jesus's birth. Wesley-Rankin and Trinity River Mission collaborate with other organizations in the community to sponsor this event in West Dallas.

Members of the West Dallas Community gather at Trinity River Mission and begin a journey into the community. They sing Christmas carols as they walk. The procession stops at three homes as Mary and Joseph seek a place to stay.

Mary is perched on a burro with Joseph by her side. They are followed by children portraying angels, the Santos Reyes (Three Kings), and a host of pastores y pastoras (shepherds and shepherdesses), Colorful costumes include brightly decorated báculos (walking staffs) and faroles (paper lanterns).

Las Posadas is held in mid December.  Click here to view photos of a prior year.