Adults with Disabilities
Education
Spirituality
In Honor of International Disability Pride Month…
July marks International Disability Pride Month, a time to recognize the strength, dignity, and accomplishments of people with disabilities around the world. At Mustard Seed Communities (MSC), this month goes way beyond celebration: it’s the spirit of our mission.
We know that having a disability can come with challenges. We see each person in our care for who they are, not ignoring the effort and intrinsic grit they resource every day as a person with differing abilities. We embrace their identity, and jump on any opportunity to amplify achievements that emerge when they’re given the support and respect they deserve.
Meet Brandon
In a recent video filmed at Mustard Seed Communities, Brandon, a longtime member of our family, was asked what advice he would give to someone with a disability who was just arriving at Mustard Seed.
“Do not be afraid. This is a wonderful experience for you—to see other people who can help themselves, who are born with a disability. Some of us who have disabilities can help ourselves, and others cannot help themselves.
Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean that’s the end for them. They can do things. They can achieve a lot of things. Like myself.”
Brandon’s words capture the courage, community, and our unwavering belief that a diagnosis doesn’t define destiny.
“They Can Achieve a Lot of Things.”
Brandon is a notable example of what’s possible when individuals with disabilities are given the opportunity to grow. He works in two departments at MSC’s homes in Jamaica:
- Ceramics at My Father’s House – creating beautiful pieces that are sold to support MSC programs.
- Administrative Office at Jerusalem! – helping with clerical and operational support.
Through his work, Brandon is helping shape a world where a sense of belonging, self-respect, and life purpose extend to all.
Creating Opportunities to Achieve
We believe that everyone has something to offer. At MSC, this tenet is evident in our programs for children and adults with disabilities: programs that go beyond meeting basic needs.
We’re committed to creating pathways to achievement. These accomplishments take on a different nature depending on each person’s capabilities, such as: an infant learning to properly swallow solid food; a child learning to stack blocks; a teenager wheeling to a soccer goal; or, a young adult managing a farm.
Here’s how we support achievement every day:
Education for Children
In Jamaica and Zimbabwe, our Little Angels Learning Centers offer foundational education for children with disabilities as well as children in nearby underserved communities. With personalized lesson plans and spiritual enrichment, these children are learning—and they’re thriving.
Occupational Programs at Jacob’s Ladder
Our largest apostolate, Jacob’s Ladder, offers a robust work program for adults with disabilities. Residents receive compensation for their work by earning tokens which they can exchange for items of their choice. Individuals contribute meaningfully by:
- Growing produce and caring for animals on our farm
- Washing linens and clothing in the laundry center
- Supporting mission teams as campus ambassadors
This work is valuable and dignified. The program yields vegetables and clean clothes but also produces inclusion, a sense of purpose, and contribution.
Faith Lived Fully: Inclusion at the Heart of Worship
At Mustard Seed Communities, our faith is a key part of our lives. It goes beyond the foundation of our mission, shining light on God’s undeniable love for all. When residents sing, their song is a melody of hope and healing. When they attend Mass, they’re learning that they’re a cherished child of God.
They feel the light of Christ beaming in their hearts…and you can see it, bright and pure in their eyes.
Watch for yourself in this video of Thank You Thursday Mass in Zimbabwe, where a young man with disabilities played a key role in the procession, presenting the Book of the Gospels to Fr. Garvin Augustine, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities International.
In our community, residents are co-worshippers, leaders, and living witnesses of God’s grace. Their participation is a sacred act of reciprocity. In turn, their dignity, sense of belonging, and deep capacity to give back is affirmed.
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” –Psalm 139:14
Any mission volunteer who has participated in Thank You Thursday at Jacob’s Ladder can attest: each resident brings their full self into the life of the Church. This exchange of worshipping together helps all of us (for we are, indeed, fearfully and wonderfully made) encounter Christ more fully.
A Month and Mission Rooted in Self-Regard
Brandon said it best: “They can do things. They can achieve a lot.”
This sums up what International Disability Pride Month means to us.
From our mission volunteers to our experts in care, we’re proud to care for individuals with disabilities. It’s truly our honor to witness and champion their incredible strength, creativity, and capacity to achieve.
We promise each individual in our care that they’ll never be abandoned again. But, we go beyond that, making sure we keep creating opportunities for everyone’s abilities to shine.
We dream of a world where disability isn’t a limitation, but a part of the beautiful diversity of God’s creation. We plan to continue to live out our mission of caring at Mustard Seed Communities—of celebrating each and every person for who God made them to be—will you join us?