Photo Caption: A throwback photo from 2010 (L-R): Meagan and Claire, learned about issues facing the homeless and how they can help, at DemoCrewPlunge
The Mustard Seed is celebrating 35 years of ministry this year. Every month we will post a story from our archives to highlight the amazing journey that has shaped our organization.
Excerpt from The Mustard Seed Newsletter dated April 2010:
Cochrane youth gain a new understanding of poverty through The Mustard Seed’s inner-city immersion program
For 17 youth from Cochrane Alliance Church, participating in The Mustard Seed’s inner-city program, DemoCrewPlunge, represented three days spent far outside their comfort zone.
DemoCrewPlunge exposes youth to the challenges and issues the homeless face. For three days, students participate in workshops and service opportunities to help the less fortunate while they gain a better understanding of poverty.
Program participant Meagan Orr admits her youth group’s participation in the program was challenging. “It definitely opened up our eyes,” she says.
Youth get a first-hand look at the day-to-day struggles the homeless face in their journey off the street. Meagan says she came away from DemoCrew with an unexpected blessing: a sense of purpose in her life.
“I feel more of a passion now to help people. I always assumed [the homeless] messed up their own lives, but now I want to help them,” she says.
The youth group now has plans to take action against poverty in their own neighbourhood. They are already involved in a local food drive, and are planning to return with friends to volunteer at The Mustard Seed.
“The kids did everything from sweeping floors at the Shelter to imagining themselves living a typical day on the streets,” says Byron, Youth Ministries Manager at The Mustard Seed. “The highlight was watching them develop concrete plans to change their day-to-day actions, thinking about how that could positively impact the world around them.”
