Client 65: Danissa Can Drive in Dallas!

Imagine leaving a city like Chicago or New York, where public transportation is woven into your daily life and getting around is predictable and fast. Now picture arriving in Dallas-Fort Worth, where transit options are limited and the same trip can take three or four times longer without a car.

That was the reality Danissa faced when she and her daughter moved to DFW last year in search of new opportunities, but without a car.

Danissa came to us through one of our longtime advocate partners, Yurla, from Interfaith Family Services. Like many single parents, Danissa was doing everything “right” to provide for her and her family, yet without a vehicle to get around she was stuck from progressing towards her goals in life. When we initially interviewed her, Danissa reported that she was sometimes spending hundreds of dollars/month on ride-share services for basic needs such as getting to work, getting her daughter to school, and going to the grocery store.

Each client we serve reveals something new about life without reliable transportation.

In Danissa’s case, one detail stood out in a way we don’t often hear. Beyond the hours lost to long commutes, she found herself with little time left for the things that once mattered most to her. With a background as an artist with two published books, Danissa had to set aside her creative work simply to manage the demands of life without reliable transportation. When so much of the day is spent in transit, personal passions are often the first to fall away. And without space for those outlets, the weight of daily life build even quicker.

We were honored to present Danissa with a beautiful Honda Accord and to recognize the dignity she deserves. As we prayed over her and the car, one thing became clear: life lived in a loving community is a powerful gift. Danissa shared that the strong and capable mother and woman she is today reflects the people who have believed in her and taken a chance on her along the way. Danissa, we are proud of you and look forward to continuing to walk alongside you in the year ahead.

Photos by JDunlop Media. Story shared with consent of the client.