Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Porras. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Raleigh Dream Center (RDC), founded in 2014 by Pastor Jeremy Porras and his wife Candace, is a non-profit, Christian organization dedicated to serving multiple at-risk communities throughout Wake County. We bring hope and healing to children and adults affected by difficult circumstances, including substance abuse, physical abuse, gangs, and those faced with homelessness, poverty, trafficking, and mental illness. RDC cultivates positive atmospheres in under-resourced communities by developing meaningful relationships with individuals and families. We also meet immediate needs by providing free groceries, clothes, and various items through outreach programs to support individuals and families. We now offer a free residential recovery program for men, and we are building 5 houses to expand our programs. Everything that we offer is free and intended to build relationships and trust that will lead to helping people DREAM AGAIN about the future God is calling them to and building a self-sufficient life.
With programs modeled after a proven process established by the Los Angeles Dream Center over 25 years ago, RDC has been one of the fastest-growing non-profits in Raleigh, providing thousands of volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This is a “ministry of inconvenience,” which can be unpredictable but certainly very rewarding. You never know when you will get the call to help someone on the street, someone experiencing an overdose, someone who wants help, the list goes on.
Struggles for the organization include:
-how to fund a growing ministry
-finding the proper support so that you don’t have to sacrifice what we have been called to do
-obtaining the right resources (facility, vehicles, staff)
-building the right support network (churches sending volunteers, businesses that support)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us more about your work?
One thing that sets us apart is that we are “boots on the ground” reaching people. We don’t want to open the doors of our facility and expect people to come to us. We are actively serving in multiple communities around Wake County through our food outreaches, after-school kids programs, street outreach, etc. We go to where the people are and help build relationships and, in many cases, provide transportation to bring people to the Dream Center where they can find the help and resources they need.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Visit RaleighDreamCenter.org to support or volunteer with our ministry.
Pricing:
- Everything is free to the communities
- support for one “Adopt-A-Block” community is $600 a month
- Support a guy in our recovery house for $1000 a month
- Sponsor a summer intern at $400 a month
- Support a child to experience a week of summer camp ($75)
Contact Info:
- Website: RaleighDreamCenter.org
- Instagram: @raleighdreamcenter
- Facebook: @raleighdreamcenter
