User:Sarahcmckenzie/The Mustard Seed Society

History

The Mustard Seed Society grew out of Calgary’s First Baptist Church's Burning Bush Coffeehouse, a drop-in center for youth in the 1980's.

Throughout the 1980's, the growing needs of the homeless in Calgary required a full-time effort. First Baptist Church eventually took the step from the Burning Bush to The Mustard Seed Street Church, which was officially established November 25, 1984. The new name came from the parable [of the Mustard Seed] in the Bible. The organization moved to 521 13 Ave SW, a place called the Koinonia House, and was under the leadership of Pat Nixon, a formerly homeless individual. Pat led The Mustard Seed until the end of 2010 and earned much praise and respect from Calgarians In 2005, Pat was inducted into the Order of Canada and, in 2007 into the Alberta Order of Excellence for his work with The Mustard Seed.

In 1989, the name was changed to The Mustard Seed Street Ministry, which was then changed to The Mustard Seed Society in 2009.

The Mustard Seed became the owners of 102-11 Avenue SE, Calgary AB, on February 19, 1992. The building was purchased for $375,000 CAD.

The Mustard Seed merged with The Mustard Seed Edmonton in 2008 to become one provincial organization.

In 2011, The Mustard Seed states it is following the example of Jesus Christ to deliver basic services, housing and employment programs to those in need and to partner with the community to address the root causes of poverty.

Projects

Mountain Aire Lodge In 2006, The Mustard Seed purchased Mountain Aire Lodge in a remote area near Sundre, AB. Formerly homeless men and women were to operate the lodge's various businesses, including a restaurant, motel, gas station, convenience store and the maintenance of six provincial campgrounds. The lodge building burnt down in a fire in July 2008. The campgrounds and other businesses continued to operate.

Emergency Shelters In the winter of 2006, The Mustard Seed opened a temporary emergency shelter in an abandoned furniture building. In November 2007, The Mustard Seed Shelter, another temporary endeavor, began operating in Calgary’s Foothills Industrial Park. The goal of the shelter was initially to offer meals, accommodation, clothing, showers, chaplaincy services, employment opportunities and personal mentoring to help clients life off the street. The Shelter was declared permanent and year-round in March of the following year.

Awards

The Mustard Seed received the ASTech Societal Impact Award from the Alberta Science and Technology Leadership Foundation on November 6, 2009.

External links

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