Edmonton Health & Wellness Centre

About The Mustard Seed

The Mustard Seed is a Christian non-profit organization that has been caring for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1984. Our vision is to eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty where we serve. Our mission is to build hope and wellbeing for our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus’ love.

Operating in five cities across Alberta and British Columbia, The Mustard Seed is a supportive haven where people can have their physical, mental, and spiritual needs met and grow toward greater health and independence.

We have been an agent of change for more than three decades, thanks to our donors, volunteers, and support from the community.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Advocacy has been an integral component of programming in Edmonton for many years, and has been interwoven with our varied programs, working collaboratively to enhance supports for our community.

Our Advocates are the first point of contract for clients seeking Health and Wellness services. Beginning with an initial intake to identify areas of need, advocates address or refer clients to the appropriate services, including housing, counselling, income, ID, employment and many other supports.

Moving out of poverty and homeless requires so much more than a simple roof, and the advocates take those varied unmet needs in order to support movement to financial, housing and health stability. Due to the overwhelming needs of underserved populations in Edmonton identified through this program, this program is expanding into a full-fledged and vibrant Health and Wellness Centre providing wraparound health services.

Partnerships with universities and other agencies are being formed to create a collaborative approach to care for this population, which also will provide educational opportunities for clinical students. The goal is to not only create a gold standard of inter-professional care in the City of Edmonton, but also to ensure that students are trained in providing the best care to vulnerable populations and become advocates for them in their own future clinical practice, no matter the setting.

Services Planned:

  • Occupational Therapy
  • Mental Health Counselling
  • Psychoeducational Testing
  • Employment Supports
  • Medical Supports
  • ID Services
  • Tax Clinics

HEALTH & WELLNESS TIME LINE

HEALTH & WELLNESS FAQ’S

  • WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR THIS PROJECT? WHAT EXPERIENCE DOES THE MUSTARD SEED HAVE?

    Poverty and homelessness result in significant health outcomes, including frequent usage of emergency health services, higher disability rates, and shorter life expectancy. A client-centered and multi-disciplinary approach focused on addressing the physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being of individuals can aid in transitioning out of poverty and homelessness toward sustainable employment, housing and health.

    The Mustard Seed opened its doors to the Calgary Wellness Centre in 2016. Over the last year wellness programs have expanded to all of our five cities, and in 2021, The Mustard Seed provided 42,000+ wellness services.

  • WHERE IS THE SPACE AND WHY WAS IT CHOSEN?

    The Health & Wellness Centre will be located at 11355 105 Ave. After assessment it was recognized that the area of Queen Mary Park, which falls into Warm O-day’min (Ward 6) has a higher than average number of individuals experiencing poverty. Individuals impacted by poverty and homelessness are most vulnerable to the social determinants of health.

  • WHO WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE SERVICES OF THE WELLNESS CENTRE?

    The services of the Wellness Centre will be available to any Edmonton resident experiencing homelessness, and/or poverty. This may include new Canadians, refugees, those impacted by trauma or inter-generational trauma, as well as those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • WILL THERE BE AN AVENUE TO DISCUSS THIS PROJECT?

    The Mustard Seed is committed to engaging the community about the Health & Wellness Centre and responding to feedback and the resolution process as part of our pre-construction activities, during construction, and on an ongoing basis during operations of Health & Wellness Centre. We will always do our best to facilitate open communication with our neighbours, and prioritize quick turn-around times for any community member inquiries on our initiative.

    For questions/comments on programming and development:

Stay tuned for additional community engagement opportunities.

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