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Date: 7/19/2026
Subject: LWVD Community Update, July 19th
From: League of Women Voters of Dallas


LWVD Community Update

July 19th, 2026
 
Upcoming Events
 LWV is stepping up advocacy on immigration at all levels!
Texas Impact: Ready.Set.Go
 Message from the Director of Volunteers 
 Save the Date: Women's Equality Day Celebration
REGISTER HERE

If immigration is an issue you care about, I have great news!

 LWV is stepping up advocacy on immigration at all levels!

 
Did you see this meme below?

LWV US:

National has declared Immigration a Priority Issue so we will be hearing more about it in LWVUS communications.

The importance of immigration was demonstrated at the LWVUS Convention last month by an overwhelming acceptance of the LWV Washington State position on Immigration which is focused on the human rights of immigrants in the country.

LWV TX:

Yvonne Pelayo, VP of Advocacy for LWV TX, is building task groups on numerous interests.  If you are interested in advocacy at the state level, please email Yvonne at  Ypelayo@lwvtexas.org.  The Texas legislature will be starting sessions in January, but there are many committees already at work crafting legislation.

LWV Dallas:

Did you see the Facebook post by Ashley Washington, our President, mourning the death of Lorenzo Salgado Araugo?   She posted it on July 15.

Like LWV TX, Joan Ridley, our VP of Advocacy, is energizing several interest groups; and Nancy Kral has graciously agreed to serve as lead for the Immigration Interest Group.  A bit about Nancy: she has served LWV Houston Area and many immigration groups for years.  She serves on the LWVUS Immigration Discussion Group.  She moved to Dallas about a year ago.  She is also the new Secretary of the Board of LWV TX.


What can you do today?

1. Sign up to the Immigration Interest Group (if you aren’t already) to get their communications.
  • How to sign up if you are a member:
    • Login to the website:  www.lwvdallas.org.
    • If you are on your tablet or computer, hover over your name in the upper right corner
      • Click on Profile
      • Scroll down to Your Website Functions and click on Interests
      • Scroll down to Advocacy on Issues and check all the interests you would like to work with.  While on this page you might look at all the other options too.
    • If you are on your phone (I created this list while on an iPhone – I assume an Android will be slightly different) the Member Login is on the upper left.
    • Once you are in, click your name on the upper right.
      • Follow the prompts above.
  • If you are not a member, please send an email to info@lwvdallas.org and ask to be connected with Nancy Kral.
2. Check out our webpage: lwvdallas.org/immigration.

In League,

Diane Tasian, Director of Volunteers

Democracy doesn’t preserve itself. As Texans, now is the moment to dig deep and put in the work to protect this vital part of American life.


Texas Impact, in partnership with a diverse network of interfaith voices from across Texas, is convening half-day civic engagement trainings built for faith communities, advocates, and anyone who’s ever asked, “What can I actually do?”

Through keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and grassroots strategy sessions, you’ll leave with real tools for legislative advocacy, community organizing, and leadership development.


Tickets are $20 per person. Lunch is included with registration. Scholarships are available if cost is a barrier to attending. Please reach out to staff@texasimpact.org if financial assistance is needed. 

2026 July Community Update – DCJMHSA 

The Dallas County Jail Mental Health Services Analysis team is making progress.

The group of volunteers is now 15 strong and growing!  It is comprised of volunteers from LWVD, Human Rights Dallas, Gateway Alliance, and Texas Jail Project.  It’s not too late to get involved.  The group is divided into 3 teams: Nonprofits, Governmental, and Interviews.  The Nonprofit and Governmental groups are learning about the entities providing services.  The interview team is talking to folks who have provided services in the jail and people who have been incarcerated.

The issue is complex, the scope of need in the community is immense, and we would really appreciate your help.    

Here are some highlights:

  • We have learned about the Miami Model.  In early June two leaders of the Miami Model came to Dallas for a 2-day workshop for Dallas County staff.    The Miami Model was created as a community-based solution to divert individuals with serious mental illness from the criminal justice system into a system of care and recovery.   The system has two basic components: (1) prebooking jail diversion of Crisis Intervention Teams which trains the police.  Dallas is already doing this in a limited way with the RIGHT Care teams.  And (2) postbooking jail diversion serving people booked into the county jail and awaiting adjudication.  The heroes of the postbooking team are the Peer Support Specialists who have walked the walk.  The Program has decreased the jail population by half and dramatically lowered recidivism rates from 72% to 20% for misdemeanors and down to 25% in the felony program. 
  • Our new state psychiatric hospital is opening in stages.   Texas Behavioral Health Center is on Harry Hines next to the medical center and is run by UTSouthwestern.  They began accepting patients from the Dallas County jail in June.

If you would like to help us, please contact me at volunteer@lwvdallas.org.

 

In League,

Diane Tasian, Director of Volunteers

Join the League 

We’re grateful you’re part of our community. The League is building a future where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and the confidence to participate. Consider joining to empower voters and defend democracy with us. 

Renew or Join online: Visit portal.lwv.org 

Or mail a check to: LWV Dallas, 1402 Corinth Street, Room 109, Dallas, TX 75215

Membership renewal: Standard $75 | Minimum: $20 

Already a League Member? Gift a LWV membership directly through the LWV member portal. Simply log in at portal.lwv.org, look for “Grow Our Community” and select “Gift”. Fill out the recipient’s info, choose their League, and select the dues you want to cover.  Empower someone you care about and give a gift that strengthens our democracy.

Questions? Email membershipVP@lwvdallas.org or call (214) 688-4125. 
Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

League of Women Voters of Dallas

1402 Corinth Street, Room 109
Dallas, Texas 75215
(214) 688-4125

info@lwvdallas.org
lwvdallas.org
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