Community Development & Outreach
Mustard Seed Communities extends its commitment to caring for the most vulnerable by actively engaging with local communities. We offer diverse programs designed to address basic human needs and go beyond, providing training and empowerment.
We extend out into our communities to build sustainable futures of independence.
Through initiatives like nutrition programs, we not only ensure the fundamental need for sustenance is met but also offer education and vocational training to empower marginalized communities. Our on-site farms not only produce food for residents but also share crops with the local community. Mustard Seed’s dedication to uplift those in need encompasses a holistic approach, fostering autonomy and resilience within the broader community.
Mustard Seed Communities extends care to the most vulnerable members of the communities surrounding its homes worldwide. Excess food from Mustard Seed’s farms, which include crops, chickens, sheep, pigs, tilapia ponds, and beehives is shared with those in need, fostering a sense of community support and ensuring that nutritious meals reach even beyond the organization’s immediate beneficiaries. Additionally, during Christmas celebrations, Mustard Seed Communities actively engages in the spirit of sharing by distributing food to enhance the festivities for those who may be experiencing economic challenges. This commitment to sharing and providing sustenance reflects Mustard Seed Communities’ holistic approach to uplifting and supporting the broader community.
Mustard Seed Communities not only prioritizes the well-being of its residents but also extends healthcare services to the broader community. At the new site, Hogar Niños de Dios, in Santiago, Dominican Republic, a dedicated health care clinic is set to open its doors to the surrounding community. This clinic is a testament to Mustard Seed Communities’ commitment to providing accessible healthcare, acknowledging the critical role it plays in uplifting the overall health and quality of life of the community members. By offering healthcare services beyond its immediate beneficiaries, Mustard Seed Communities continues to demonstrate its dedication to creating a positive impact on the well-being of the communities it serves.
In 2003, Mustard Seed Communities became aware of a pressing situation at the local landfill near La Union in Sosua, Dominican Republic—a 13-acre area just a few miles from MSC’s residential care program in Puerto Plata. Responding to the needs of the people residing on the garbage dump, MSC initiated bi-monthly meal distributions. Between 2008 and 2016, Mustard Seed Communities operated a school to educate young members of the La Union community, offering a curriculum focused on Spanish, Mathematics, and Faith Studies. Students attended classes for four hours a day and received a wholesome meal. In 2016, the landfill was privatized, leading to MSC’s loss of access, resulting in the closure of the school and cessation of food distribution. MSC remains committed to providing monthly spiritual support through a mass held at the chapel at Hogar Immanuel, accompanied by the distribution of 80 food packages to the most vulnerable members of the community.
Simultaneously, in Managua, Nicaragua, Christ in the Garbage Ministries (CIGM) was established in 2004 at the main city landfill, formerly known as La Chureca. Covering 38 acres, this landfill was home to approximately 1,500 people, including many single mothers and their children. CIGM began providing periodic food packages and praying with the residents. Shifting its focus, CIGM in Nicaragua is now dedicated to empowering women by offering a free vocational training program that commenced in 2006 as a sewing center. The center has evolved into the Resource Center (Centro de Recursos), offering classes that skill such as baking. Childcare services are provided while mothers attend classes, and as many as 20 women at a time take courses in various specialties. Christ in the Garbage Ministries continues to supply monthly food packages for families and community members who are members of the program. Despite facing challenges, Mustard Seed Communities remains steadfast in its commitment to uplifting and empowering communities surrounding its homes.