Extend the Brand to help us shelter more woman and children

Goals | Overview | Tammy’s Story | Timeline | Supporters | Downloads

Capacity Building and Shelter Expansion Project

After more than five years of dreaming and praying and over three years of planning and fundraising, the expansion portion of
our project is complete and we are fully moved in. See media coverage on our media page and read our September 2020 update.

  • Mustard Seed Expansion - View 2
  • Mustard Seed Expansion - View 1

Campaign Goals and Progress

We are aiming to raise $1 million to fund the capacity building and shelter expansion project, as well as create a building preservation fund for maintenance and repairs once the project is complete.

$992,000 of $1,000,000

Last updated: November 15, 2020

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    Project Overview

    Once the capacity building and shelter expansion project is complete, our Shelter will include the following elements:

    • Ten new single guest bedrooms, including a handicap-accessible suite

    • Guest bedrooms designed to accommodate families

    • 24-hour staffing suites (for volunteer, staff or social work/nursing intern)

    • New and upgraded bathrooms for guests, staff and visitors

    • Private intake and counseling office

    • Conference room

    • Expanded kitchen, dining and living room areas

    • Two spacious laundry rooms

    • Children’s playroom

    • Exercise room/meditation space

    • Food and supply storage areas

    • Renovated office space

    • “Enviro-closet,” to prevent bedbug infestation from newly arriving guests

    • Updates and upgrades to existing building to improve energy efficiency, safety and comfort

    • Additional parking

    Mustard Seed Expansion Floor Plan
    Tammy Baker

    “The pieces of my life came together at Mustard Seed Shelter. I was able to build my life, and it was the love I found there that made all the difference.”

    – Tammy Baker, former guest

    The seeds of our Extend the Branch capacity building and shelter expansion project were planted in 2015 following a backyard barbecue and the efforts of a grateful former guest.

    Read Tammy’s Story »

    Project Timeline

    2015

    Mustard Seed Shelter celebrates 20 years in the community. Former guest Tammy helps plan celebration event and Saginaw News article attracts attention of investors Dave and Lori Pendleton, whose encouragement led to exploring various options to expand shelter capacity.

    2016

    Board of directors explores numerous renovation and expansion scenarios to accommodate more women and children in need. R.C. Hendrick & Son engaged as general contractor for the project.

    2017

    Board unanimously approves the project and capital campaign. Initial architectural drawings are completed by R.C. Hendrick and approved by the City of Saginaw. More than $120,000 is raised or committed toward the project.

    2018

    $40,000 challenge matched through Mother’s Day appeal and Facebook campaign. Charlie Wargel becomes project manager. Wall framing completed by Herb Spence Jr. Residential Building Program at Delta College in collaboration with Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity and walls are moved to winter storage. Patty Shaheen becomes honorary chair of fundraising effort. Pledges/donations exceed $400,000 and in-kind donations and pledges exceed $100,000 by year-end.

    2019

    Fundraising continues and nears completion … Building and construction phase kicks off with groundbreaking June 13. Excavation begins September 19 and by mid-November we are ready for Delta College students to erect the walls (weather permitting). We are in the home stretch for hitting our funding target!

    2020

    January-March: The view changes daily at our home on Cherry Street! Drive by and check out our progress (you can even don a hard hat and take a tour) and watch Facebook for regular updates. Our expansion is now fully enclosed and interior work is moving along. Exterior brickwork and siding are nearly complete. We’ve also begun some of the renovations and updates in the current building and we are working with our design partners to select paint colors, flooring and finishes. Meanwhile, our house remains full of women and children seeking a warm, safe place during the cold winter months. We look forward to the day – soon – when we have enough beds for all who come to us seeking help.

    April-May: While we needed to suspend our volunteer program due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work was able to continue on the building project throughout the Governor’s stay-at-home order because sheltering those experiencing homelessness is necessary to sustain and protect life and provides safety for the economically disadvantaged. We are so grateful to see all the progress daily and a late spring/early summer ribbon cutting and move is in sight!

    June-July: As the construction crew marks every item off the punch list for the new building, volunteers are painting and beginning many updates to our current building. A ribbon cutting and open house/tour are held July 22 and guests will begin moving into their new rooms soon after. Renovations and updates to the existing building will continue as a final push for funding moves us closer to our $1 million target.

    August-November: Guests move into the new wing in early August and within days, every bed is filled. The last family moves out of the old building and into their new apartment, allowing the renovation work to accelerate. Carpeting is ripped up, floors are sanded, new air handling units are installed, benches are built for the dining room, family suites are reconfigured with new walls, painting continues … and volunteers deep clean in preparation for welcoming new guests.

    December: Renovation team completes restoration punch list and volunteers put finishing touches on interior decorating. We hope to welcome guests by mid-month!

    Our Supporters

    Thank You to All of Our Donors and Partners!

    The Extend the Branch Campaign was truly a community effort – nearly 200 individual donors gave to the project and we formed countless new partnerships through the process. Each and every gift made a difference and moved us closer to our goal.

    Sponsorship Levels

    • Platinum     $50,000+

    • Diamond     $25,000-$49,999

    • Gold            $10,000-$24,999

    • Silver           $5,000-$9,999

    • Bronze        $1,000-$4,999

    • Copper       Up to $999

    Interested in donor naming opportunities?
    Download the sponsorship form »

    Herbert H. & Grace A. Dow Foundation
    R.C. Hendrick & Son, Inc.
    Michigan Department of Corrections Prison Build Program
    Dave & Lori Pendleton
    Patricia A. Shaheen Family
    Sunshine Lady Foundation
    Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation
    Catholic Diocese of Saginaw
    Richard J. Garber Foundation
    Allen E. & Marie A. Nickless Foundation
    Schaefer Family Foundation
    SVSU Student Association BOV 2017
    Wickson-Link Memorial Foundation
    B+B Marketing Communications
    John and Sharon Benson
    Delta College Residential Construction Program
    Dow Chemical Foundation
    Glastender
    Jim Jaime
    Mike’s Wrecker/Moving & Storage
    Kraig & Sarah Pendleton
    Saginaw Society for Crippled Children
    SC Johnson
    Charlie Wargel Project Manager

    Wolohan Family Foundation

    Ascension Lutheran
    Builders First Source
    Jeanne Murphy Causley
    Diocese of Saginaw
    St. Dominic Parish
    Horizons Conference Center
    Howard Structural Steel
    Independent Bank
    Richard A. Mansfield & Erlene Mansfield Charitable Trust
    Vincente Martinez
    Mercantile Bank
    Michigan Pipe & Valve
    Morley  Companies
    Ron & Michelle Schauman
    Harry A. & Margaret D. Towsley Foundation
    Women in Leadership GLBR
    Gerry B. Bishop
    Gloria Byrne
    Blessed Trinity Catholic Church
    Builders First Source
    Case Funeral Home
    Century 21
    CyberGrants
    DML Management
    Duperon
    EZ Pro Delivery
    Rev. James Falsey
    Frankenmuth Insurance Charitable Foundation
    Fullerton Tool
    Future Insurance Agency
    Garber Management Group
    Graham Construction
    Grapp Lerash
    Mike & Debbie Haremski
    William & Kristine Hartl
    Hausbeck Pickle Company
    Michael & Erika Hirschman
    Deborah Huntley
    Independent Bank
    Rev. Jack Johnson
    Jolt Credit Union
    Phyllis Meek
    Carmen Mora
    Michael & Kathryn Nuechterlein
    Nacarato Family
    Samuel Nacarato
    Rittmueller Real Property LLC
    Saginaw Community  Foundation
    Saginaw Leadership Cares
    David Sawchuck
    Ruth & Dick Schomaker
    Laurie Shell
    Duane Siler Inc.
    Skorupski Family Funeral Home
    SSP Associates Inc.
    Laura Stoeckel
    Patricia Stratton
    Matthew & Cecelia Sullivan
    Thieme Family Foundation
    Tri-Star Trust Bank

    Lynnette Albosta

    Altrusa Club of Saginaw
    Julaine Amman

    Paul Antor

    Michelle Armstrong
    Ronald & Joanne Barry
    Raymond & Karen Bartels

    Kathaleen Bauman

    James & Susan Berghoff

    Billy’s Contracting
    Larry & Maureen Bishop
    Jeremy Bockelman
    Jeff & Kathy Bonn
    James & Mildred Bourdow

    Mark & Mary Bradtke
    Robert & Lonne Brown
    Robert & Andrea Burditt
    George Burrows
    Gloria Byrne

    Reid Calcott

    Carolyn Cameron
    Mary Lou & William Snyder Case

    Gresoria Castenada
    Bonnie & Nicole Cavendish
    Stephen & Sandra Cilek
    Hon. Terry Clark

    Mary Ellen Clifford
    Julienne Coenis

    Pam Cole

    COPOCO Credit Union

    A.C. Coppolino Insurance Agency

    Anthony & Geraldine D’Anna
    Martha Daumas
    David & Joyce Dekarske
    James & Denise Dekett

    Dan & Andrea Drapp

    Dan & Michelle Drapp
    Michael & Martha Ducham

    Kathryn Foster Dupuis
    James & Cheryl Dwyer
    Fred & Lori Eberling

    Emmaus House of Saginaw

    Exchange Club of Saginaw
    Sigrid Ewers
    James Fair

    Gary & Nancy Fahndrich
    First Presbyterian Church of Taymouth
    Catherine Fobes
    Fordney Club
    Gerald & Rita Fortin
    Christopher & Louis Furlo

    Ralph & Teresa Furlo
    Michele & Shirley Gadd
    Lawrence & Rebecca Gallo
    Librado & Christina Gayton

    Mary Georges
    Ralph & Margaret Gonzales
    Mark & Jane Grzegorczyk
    James & Mary Grzesiak
    Robert & Elizabeth Hare
    Ruth Hatcher

    William & Kelly Hendrick
    Deborah & Lynn Hensley

    C & R Hisson-Kruger

    Gabriella Hoffman
    Betty Horner
    Michael & Georgette Howko
    James & Barbara Jackson
    Brian Jackson
    Judy Jackson
    James Jenkins
    Frank & Mary Ann Johnson
    Nancy Johnson

    Lillian Jones-Thomas

    Charles & Sue Kaltenbach
    Frederick Kawka
    Mary Kelly

    Michael & Briana Kessler
    Murel & Susan Kessler
    David & Betty Kiefer

    Dr. Nikolai & Dr. Lioudmila Kinachtchouk
    Carl King
    Terri Kohler
    Mark & Carol Kraynak
    Joseph & Sueann Kwaiser

    Ross & Pamela Lake
    Cynthia LaMarre

    Peggy Lark

    Jim & Kathy Lear

    Nona Lehmkuhle
    Linda Lewis
    Ronald & Jean Lickly

    Erin Lincoln

    Judith Lincoln
    Lawrence Lonsway
    Robert & Cathryn Looby
    Carol Lopez
    Kathryn Macmillan
    In honor of Margaret Mahoney McNew
    Joseph & Ruth Malek
    Nancy Martin
    Barbara McDonald

    Channing McKay
    Mavis McLean

    Margaret Mahoney McNew
    Mary & Mary Beth Moeller

    Pat Moellers
    Donald & Helen Morse

    John Nelson
    Rose Nickodemus
    Peter Nowosad
    Larry & Karen Nuechterlein

    Oracle Brewing Company LLC
    Daniel & Dawn Ozark
    Jessica Parrott

    Peace Lutheran Church
    Kay Pearson
    Charles & Veronica Pelzer

    Portraits by Gregg
    David Potts
    Ellen Redfield
    John & Mary Riegle
    Michael Roberts
    William & Margaret Roberts
    Leo & Maria Romo
    Joseph & Elizabeth Rousseau
    Thomas & Donna Rudy
    John & Elinor Rudy
    James Rummler

    Saginaw Council 43

    Saginaw Lawyers’ Auxiliary

    St. Francis de Sales Parish
    Dr. & Mrs. Galileo Sarmiento

    Cara & Kurt Schade
    David & Karen Schimmel
    Joseph & Ann Marie Schoren

    Scottish Inn
    Joseph & Linda Sedlock

    Diane Seliskar

    Eric Shelm
    Jacob Shinner

    Eve & Matthew Shuler

    Shuler Automotive
    Mary Siegreen
    Kenneth & Kelly Siems
    Jane Sills
    Pari & Mark Sitarski
    Gustave & Frances Skapek
    DJ & CA Skolnik

    Amy Jo Smith

    Kathleen Smith
    Otto & Colette Sonefeld
    Duane & Sue Ellen Spaedt

    Gail & John Stallings
    Edward Jr & Geralyn Stelzer
    Ronald & Mary Stetler

    Bill Stoeckel
    Charles & Judith Stuart
    Leona Sullivan

    Megan Sullivan
    Patrick & Sally Sullivan

    Ryan Sullivan

    Superior Vault Company
    Robert & Margaret Susalla
    Swan Valley United Methodist Church
    Julie Swieczkowski
    R & J Tanner

    Susan Thom
    Dale & Mary Ellen Tithof
    Bernard & Yvonne Topham
    Gust & Martha Triantafillou
    Rose Vallier
    Gerry VanSickle
    Pearl Vasher
    L.P. Vescio
    Kevin & Nancy Waier
    Warner Norcross & Judd LLC

    Joan Weber

    Bradley & Mary Kay Wiechelman
    Ross & Kim Winchell
    Everett & Patricia Woods
    Joyce Zolinski

    “The best part of my day is meeting Jesus in these women and walking alongside them as they rebuild their lives. The hardest part is the five or six calls a day we get from women we have to turn away.” 

    – Amy Bartels Roe, Director, Mustard Seed Shelter