A Message From The CEO
My first year as CEO of The Mustard Seed has now passed, and what a year it has been.
To our many supporters: The Mustard Seed is blessed with a remarkable team whose mission is to serve our city’s most vulnerable. Every day, I am inspired by their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to this work.
The Seed has always been ambitious in its mission to help as many people as possible. In the following pages, you will read about initiatives — some years in the making — that came to fruition last year. One major shift in our shelters was adopting a Housing-Focused Shelter Worker model. This approach assigns staff caseloads to assist guests in securing permanent housing. The result? 1,269 guests found permanent homes last year — almost double the previous year’s total. This is the impact we strive for.
As you read further, I hope you take pride in what we have accomplished together. We remain steadfast in our mission to serve, whether by helping someone find housing, employment, or the support they need. Every day, we witness lives transformed at The Mustard Seed.
I want to extend my gratitude to my predecessor and mentor, Steve Wile, for passing on a strong and vibrant organization. The mission of building hope and well-being in our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus’ love continues.
To our donors, volunteers, funders, and supporters — thank you. Your generosity and dedication make this work possible. Together, we are changing lives.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us in this crucial work.
~ 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 pleased to share in the pages that follow the significant impact our teams have had on the lives of so many. In 2024, we have been expanding our services. We were delighted to expand into Saskatoon, our third province and seventh city, where we now operate a supportive housing building.
We enjoyed a seamless transition of CEOs. James Gardiner, a former Board member and more recently a member of our executive staff, became the fifth CEO in our 40-year history following the retirement of Dr. Steve Wile. We are thankful for Steve’s nine years of capable leadership and look forward to the future under James’ leadership.
We are deeply honoured and grateful for the trust that our donors place in us as they join our mission with their time and donations. 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.
Our mission is not yet complete. There remain fellow neighbours who are unhoused and in poverty. At The Mustard Seed, we are focused each and every day to be the agent of change in the lives of those we serve. Your support is vital to maintaining the scope of influence for positive change that we have.
Thank you
Kevin Schular I Society Board Chair
Financials
For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024
OUR VALUES
CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS
TRANSPARENT ACCOUNTABILITY
TREATING ALL WITH RESPECT
OPEN COMMUNICATION
HOLISTIC INNOVATION
Visit TheSeed.ca/accountability to read our complete financial statements
OUR MISSION
To build hope and well-being for our most vulnerable citizens through Jesus' love.
OUR VISION
To eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty where we serve.
HERE'S WHAT YOUR SUPPORT DID ACROSS ALL MUSTARD SEED LOCATIONS IN 2024
You Gave Hope...
890,000+
meals served
53,000+
clothing and living essentials provided
727
shelter spaces available each month
And Well-Being...
74,219
Health & Wellness services provided
604
guests employed
94,301
school lunches provided in Red Deer
1,269
guests moved into housing
To our most vulnerable neighbours through Jesus's love.
You're Opening Doors
The Mustard Seed expanded to Saskatoon in 2024, opening supportive
housing units in downtown Saskatoon. These permanent supportive
housing units offer residents stable, safe, affordable housing with
wrap-around supports.
Alongside supportive housing, The Mustard Seed opened up an overnight
shelter in early spring of 2025. The 40-bed shelter opened at a
temporary location (210 Pacific Ave, Saskatoon) and takes a
housing-focused approach, working to transition guests into
sustainable housing while providing 04 essential services.
For more information head to TheSeed.ca/Saskatoon.
In order to protect the privacy and safety of the individuals we serve, some names and photos have been changed
Today, Shirley supports individuals who are struggling, just as she once did, and offers a helping hand to those in need.
From Hardship to Healing:
The Ripple Effects of Recovery
It was when Shirley found herself at her lowest point, in and out of
shelters and dealing with addiction, that she was reminded of a man who
had shown her kindness while staying at a shelter. He would clean up
after the guests, treating each person with respect, even when they had
nothing to offer in return. This act of service stuck with her, and she
made a promise to herself, that if she ever got out of there, she wanted
to be like him. Helping others just as he helped her.
Years passed, and Shirley worked hard to turn her life around. She found
stability and began searching for work. But despite her efforts to find
a job in her field, something kept pulling her back to the world she
once knew — the homeless community that had been her family. It was then
that a job posting for The Mustard Seed in Saskatoon appeared, and
Shirley knew she had to apply. It was a reminder of where she had come
from and the promise she had made years ago. Shirley’s faith and
determination led her to start working at The Mustard Seed, where she
continues to work today.
“God did hear my plea back then,” Shirley reflects. “I know now that
I had to go through a lot to get the experience, so I could work at
The Mustard Seed here in Saskatoon.”
Brian’s Café
At Brian’s Café a cup of coffee is more than just a drink, it’s a symbol
of community. Officially opening its doors on January 23, 2025, this
social enterprise café is nestled inside The Mustard Seed Calgary’s
family housing building, Ogden Hub:29 (2381 74 Ave SE, Calgary). But
Brian’s Café is more than just a coffee shop — it’s a cornerstone of the
community.
Named in honour of Brian Evasiuk, a community member who once relied on
The Mustard Seed’s services before his passing in 2020, the café carries
his legacy forward by offering a safe, welcoming place for all. Whether
stopping by for a warm cup of coffee, sharing a conversation with a
friend, adding to our Giving Wall, or exploring our employment program,
there’s always a seat for you at Brian’s Café.
The Giving Wall, a simple yet powerful act of kindness, allows customers
to pre-purchase drinks or snacks for those in need. Since opening, over
$2,300 has been donated, providing $1,700 worth of food and drinks to
residents and other community members in need. More than nourishment,
these acts of kindness are a reminder that no one is alone.
At Brian’s Café, generosity is something we live — one cup at a time.
Visit us online at
BriansCafe.ca.
We can’t wait to see you!
YOUR IMPACT: WITH YOUR SUPPORT, GOD IS RESTORING FAMILIES, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES.
Harbour House: Kamloops Women’s Shelter
“The Women’s Shelter has helped me so much, I've found stability, peace, and a supportive community. The staff have empowered me to move forward and live a healthier, happier life."
- Margaret, women’s shelter guest
Ogden Hub: 29
“I feel connected here. And my kids are ready to come back and be with me full time. That says something about this place and the environment here, that my family can see that growth in me too.”
- Alexis, Hub:29 resident
Red Deer School Lunch Program
"It's very heartwarming to know as a mother that my child is cared for. I can provide for my child's other needs because The Mustard Seed is supporting our need for nutritious meals.”
-Susan, school lunch program parent
Grande Prairie
For years, Major’s Family Restaurant has been more than just a place to eat — it has been a place for community. Every Christmas, the family-owned restaurant opens its doors to anyone in need of a warm meal. At the heart of this tradition is Todd, the owner, who, alongside his family, spends Christmas Day in the kitchen, preparing a home-cooked turkey dinner with all the fixings. When The Mustard Seed opened a supportive housing building in Grande Prairie in early 2024, they saw what Major’s Family Restaurant was doing and reached out with a question: Would he be willing to extend his Christmas dinner to the 50 residents of The Mustard Seed? Todd didn’t hesitate. His response was immediate and unwavering — “Of course.” And so, that Christmas, Major’s Family Restaurant was filled with even more laughter, gratitude, and full hearts. Residents of The Mustard Seed’s supportive housing joined the community at Major’s, sharing not just a meal, but a sense of connection that so many had longed for.
“It’s just the right thing to do,” Todd says simply. But to those who walked through the doors that day — it meant everything.
Finding Purpose in the Unexpected:
Medicine Hat Shelter
Payton never saw himself working at a shelter. But when
opportunities were scarce, he took a chance on a job opening
with The Mustard Seed in Medicine Hat. What started as just a
job quickly became something much more – a passion.
Day after day, Payton finds himself drawn to the small but
powerful moments with The Mustard Seed’s guests. The relief when
someone receives a new jacket or a warm meal for the first time
in a while. But the moments he holds closest are the ones where
he sees someone take a step toward overcoming addiction. Payton
knows this battle intimately, almost losing himself to his
addiction before achieving nearly two years of sobriety. Payton
openly shares his journey with guests at The Mustard Seed,
offering hope and guidance to those struggling just as he had.
The work isn’t easy, and some days are heavy, but Payton
believes he is exactly where he is meant to be.
Being able to help people at The Mustard Seed in this way makes me feel as though my struggles were not in vain,
says Payton.
Edmonton HELP Team
The Human-Centered Engagement and Liaison Partnership — better
known as HELP — was launched in January 2021 as a proactive
response to the growing need for support for at-risk,
vulnerable, and marginalized individuals in Edmonton. This
innovative partnership was designed to collaborate directly with
the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) to reduce social disorder and
to divert individuals away from crisis situations and the
criminal justice system and towards the appropriate support
systems. By working alongside EPS, HELP ensures that the right
resources are deployed at the right time, directing people in
need to services that can provide real solutions.
HELP focuses on the city’s vulnerable and at-risk individuals, identifying their needs and navigating them towards the appropriate services in the community,explains Daniela, HELP Program Manager.
HELP navigators focus on connecting people with social supports
and building real relationships with those they work with. They
don’t provide services themselves, but rather act as a bridge,
helping individuals access the support systems that can turn
their lives around.
“The Mustard Seed is one of six partner agencies represented in
the program; our Navigators work collaboratively with colleagues
from Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, Hope Mission,
George Spady Society, Enoch Cree Nation, and Radius Community
Health & Healing,” shares Daniela.
The impact of HELP ripples through both the individuals it
serves and the broader community.
“For clients, this intervention often means the removal of
barriers to service,” explains Daniela. Through this
collaboration, HELP is transforming the way the community
supports its most vulnerable members — providing them with hope,
dignity, and a path toward a brighter future.
Engage Your Team or Family in Making a Difference!
Looking for a way to give back? Join us in supporting those in need
through The Mustard Seed’s Care Kit Program. This is a fantastic
opportunity for your workplace or family to get involved by packing
kits filled with essential items for those experiencing
homelessness.
Through our Kits for a Cause partnership, your group can
directly impact lives while creating lasting memories of giving. It’s
a meaningful way to connect with your community and make a tangible
difference.
Together, we can share kindness and hope with those who need it most.
Learn more and get involved at
TheSeed.ca/kfac
What’s Next?
The Mustard Seed continues to explore opportunities across Canada that will allow us to have the greatest impact on our vision to eliminate poverty and homelessness.
It Takes All of Us!
Donors, volunteers, staff, all levels of government, and community
partners — lasting change happens through strong relationships and
long-term collaboration.
Thank you for sharing in our mission to serve vulnerable neighbours.
Your support helps us work toward eliminating poverty and homelessness.
Together, we are impacting lives.
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