Megan first came to The Mustard Seed five years ago as a guest, accessing programs and services offered at the Community Impact Centre Canora in Edmonton. She was encouraged to meet with an Employment coach and from her meetings, joined the Litter Clean-Up crew at The Mustard Seed. From then on, Megan decided to apply as a Relief Staff and was able to work at every site in The Mustard Seed Edmonton. After being in this position for a few years, she sat down with one of the Senior leaders and asked to become an advocate.
Advocates at The Mustard Seed walk alongside clients to support them in meeting their goals. This includes obtaining IDs, applying for income support, and then housing support. They help educate clients on their choices and encourage them to make goals that are in their best interest.
“There was such a need for advocacy that they were able to expand the team,” explains Megan.
By becoming an advocate Megan then learned about other programs offered by The Mustard Seed, one of those being the Reintegration Program. Megan thought that her own lived experience would be helpful for clients going through the program, so she decided to apply for a role with the team.
The Reintegration Program, led by chaplains, advocates, social workers, and peer support workers, exists to support individuals as they transition from incarceration back into the community. Most often, this work begins inside provincial and federal institutions, where clients are offered information and resources to help them prepare for what comes after incarceration. The program also extends to those already accessing services in our shelters and Community Impact Centres (CIC), offering continued support along their journey.
“We have the unique opportunity in supporting that vulnerable group of people who have so much opportunity ahead of them,” says Megan.
Advocates connect with clients while they are still in institutions, sharing information about The Mustard Seed’s programs and how they can support them.
Megan is passionate and motivated to continue working as a Reintegration Supervisor at the Provincial level because of her recovery. She says that her family, and so many others, keep her accountable and that is what makes her feel motivated in her job.
“Selfishly, I do the work for me; but by doing it for myself, it means I can do it for others,” says Megan.
“My hope is that someone sees my journey and says, ‘I could probably do that too’.”
