A Message From The CEO
We often see that the most meaningful change does not happen in a single moment, but rather through a steady presence. It is because of you, our many supporters, that we can maintain a steady presence in the communities we serve. In 2025, people continued to come to our doors with hardships and a loss of hope. Because of you they were able to find something different in our buildings: consistency, safety, and support.
This year shaped our new message; you're giving more than you think. As you read further, you will see real examples of change. This past year, we saw individuals in ever increasing numbers taking steps toward housing, recovery, and reconnection. Progress rarely looks dramatic; more often, it looks like returning the next day and trying again. It's about discovering that someone is still there to welcome you, sharing Jesus' love daily in the most tangible of ways.
I want to say thank you to our donors, volunteers, funders, and supporters. Your generosity reaches further than a single service; it shapes a community.
We are grateful to be taking this journey with you.
~ James Gardiner I Chief Executive Officer
A Message From The Board
At The Mustard Seed, our mission is to build hope and well-being in our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus’ love. On behalf of The Mustard Seed Society Board of Directors, I am honoured to be a part of an organization that is making lasting changes in so many people’s lives.
In 2025, we have continued to see the impact of The Mustard Seed throughout the seven cities we serve. Over the next few pages, you will read stories of hope, perseverance, and transformation. Lasting impacts that would not be possible without the support from you, our trusted donors, funders, and supporters.
I also want to thank our dedicated staff and volunteers for their tireless work each day. Your motivation to serve and care for our guests is truly inspiring.
But our mission is not yet complete. There are still more neighbours experiencing homelessness and poverty who are looking for support. At The Mustard Seed, we are focused each and every day on being an agent of change.
Your support is vital to maintaining the work that we do
Kevin Schular I Society Board Chair
Financials
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025
Visit TheSeed.ca/accountability to read our complete financial statements
MISSION
To build hope and well-being for our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus' love.
VISION
To eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty where we serve.
Values
Christ-Centredness, Transparent Accountability, Treating All With Respect, Open Communication, Holistic Innovation.
Finding a Place to Belong: Cee's Story
Cee and her husband built a happy, stable life together. She worked as a school teacher, and for many years, life felt secure and steady. But everything changed when her husband suddenly passed away. Cee had lost her anchor and didn’t know what to do next. Her mental health deteriorated, and eventually she lost her job, and then her house too. For the next five years, Cee jumped from shelter to shelter, trying to navigate life.
Cee had heard of The Mustard Seed but was nervous to stay there. She didn’t think it would work for her, but eventually she had no other choice. The shelter ended up being nothing like she though it would be. There, Cee started to feel like herself again. No longer was she just floating through life — she finally felt supported and appreciated for the first time in years.
Through the Wellness Centre, Cee has accessed mental health counselling services, replaced her lost identification, got a city bus pass to support her job search, and received referrals to city employment assistance resources. Cee no longer feels unanchored. She found a place where she truly feels she belongs.
"The environment here is very nurturing and supportive. The Mustard Seed has given me hope and belief that a better life is possible even when all seems lost."
Today, Cee is rebuilding her life one step at a time. With stability, support, and renewed confidence, she believes independence is no longer out of reach.
A Place to Call Home: Adriana's Journey to The Mustard Seed
Living in Columbia, Adriana and her husband worked for a nonprofit that helped vulnerable people in their surrounding communities – but Adriana never thought that one day her and her family would be in desperate need of the same support.
Adriana and her husband would help anyone, from single mothers and people facing addictions, to women affected by human trafficking and drug trade. Unfortunately, helping these groups started to become dangerous for Adriana and her family.
“We began to have problems with the gang’s selling drugs,” explains Adriana.
“They would follow us and threaten us,” says Adriana. The threat to her family continued to grow, and Adriana felt like they had no other choice; they had to leave the country to protect her own family.
The family fled Columbia, travelling for three months before they were able to make it into Canada. They were now in a new country, with a different culture and language; but her family was together, and that’s what mattered most to Adriana.
The family of four was connected with services to help them access the food bank, employment, and find schools for their children. Through these contacts, Adriana learned about The Mustard Seed.
“We started taking the English classes offered, going to church, and my kids would go to the kids club,” says Adriana.
After living in various temporary homes for six months,
Adriana, her husband, and their two kids were accepted
into The Mustard Seed’s family housing. Finally, a place for
them to call home.
“The Mustard Seed has supported me so much since I first came here,” says Adriana.
Ogden Hub:29 was able to offer that rest Adriana was so desperately searching for since leaving Columbia.
We left everything behind, our family, our friends, our work, the people we love. And we had to leave it all behind just because we were trying to help people,” says Adriana, tears welling up in her eyes.
Support Change with Your Legacy
We partner with Advisors With Purpose, a charitable organization that provides financial discipleship, supporting individuals and families in making thoughtful estate decisions. Advisors With Purpose is about more than wealth or inheritance – it's about crafting a lasting legacy.
What will your legacy say?
Contact Advisors with Purpose at:
[email protected] or 1.866.336.3315 to start your journey.
As a child, David learned of The Mustard Seed as a volunteer, giving back to his community with his family. Years later, he would come to know the services in a very different way – while living on the streets.
As a contractor for over 20 years, David was used to the ups and downs of inconsistent work. However, things changed when projects became even scarcer and a brain injury added new challenges. His financial situation worsened and David couldn't get any more work. Soon he lost his home too and for the first time, David found himself living on the streets.
David found himself with no where to live. That was when he remembered his time volunteering at The Mustard Seed, helping people in situations just like him. So, one day he came just for supper to check it out, but he ended up finding so much more.
"Before coming here, it wasn't looking very good for me," says David.
"Out on the streets, it's not an easy place to be, you can't function because you're so exhausted from being out there."
David has now been staying in The Mustard Seed's shelter for the past five months. While he has been there, David has worked hard to earn his certificates through the Employment Program, he has accessed mental, physical, and spiritual support through the Health and Wellness Centre, and David is hopeful that he will find a place of his own with the help of Mustard Seed advocates.
"The Mustard Seed is a really good place to be. They're like a sign at the crossroads pointing you in the right direction," says David.
For David, The Mustard Seed was a place of second chances, offering him an opportunity for real change in his life. Before he came to the shelter, David was living day to day, but now, he has hope for the future.
"When people help The Mustard Seed, even just a little bit, they need to know it goes a long way," says David.
Every contribution, no matter the size, plays a meaningful role in someone's life like David's. Each donation fosters hope, builds communities, and creates a lasting change.
A Look Forward
For the next few years, we're sharing a simple message with our community: your generosity goes further than you might think.
Every day, neighbours find more than immediate relief at The Mustard Seed. Because of you, they discover the comprehensive support needed to move beyond crisis and toward stability.
When you give, what may begin as a cup of coffee, a meal, or a night of shelter can become a life-changing moment for someone in need.
Be part of that impact today at TheSeed.ca/more
We are also excited for our upcoming concert series. Join us for an amazing night of worship and community at The Mustard Seed’s Home Together Tour featuring Paul Baloche and Mack Brock.
For more information and concert dates near you, head to:
Raise Hope With Us
Everytime you give your time, support a program, or host a fundraiser, you are helping neighbours move beyond poverty and homelessness.
Visit our RaiseHope.ca to explore how your impact goes farther than you think, and find new ways to make a difference in your community.
Discover hands-on opportunities like Kits for a Cause, where you can rally
your network to pack essential items that directly support those we serve.
We are also excited for our upcoming concert series.
Thanks to our generous volunteers, we are impacting lives.
Learn more and get involved at: RaiseHope.ca
