The biblical parable of the mustard seed reminds us that great things often begin small. Mustard Seed Shelter is growing, offering shelter and support to women and children in need, but it can’t thrive without nourishment. That’s where the Friends of Mustard Seed come in—like gardeners tending to a young plant, your support ensures our shelter continues to provide safety, healing, and hope to those who need it most.
Becoming a Friend means committing to an annual donation of at least $50 for individuals or $500 for churches and organizations. Your generosity allows us to continue providing crucial services, whether you choose to donate annually, quarterly, or monthly. You can also set up automatic payments via PayPal. Every gift, no matter the size, plays a vital role in sustaining our shelter.
Friends receive regular updates showcasing success stories of our guests as they make remarkable strides toward stability. You’ll have the opportunity to join a supportive community that shares in the excitement of these transformations. Whether through prayer, donations, or simply spreading the word, you’re playing a crucial part in nurturing the seed of change.
By becoming a Friend, you’re helping to create a future where families in crisis find hope and healing. Together, we can continue to grow the Mustard Seed Shelter and make lasting change in our community.
Before we even had our official “Friends” program, Mustard Seed Shelter was already feeling the love from loyal supporters who, through their own traditions, have made a huge impact on our mission. One of those special examples is Ryan Yockey and his friends.
It all started when Ryan was just 13 years old, a freshman in high school, when he and his friends decided to combine their holiday celebrations with giving back to the community. Inspired by his family’s tradition of adopting a family for Christmas, Ryan and his friends created a tradition of their own. They threw a holiday party, and instead of just celebrating, they also adopted a family. The following year, they moved the party up a few weeks, renamed it FriendsGiving, and chose Mustard Seed Shelter as the recipient of food and household donations.
Even through the challenges of 2020, Ryan and his brother Nolan kept the tradition alive, even if it had to be virtual due to the pandemic. “That year, my brother Nolan took the lead because I was at school,” Ryan shared. “Normally, we’d have 15-20 friends over, we’d catch up, play games, and my mom would make food. Amy from Mustard Seed would sometimes come over and talk to my friends about the shelter. One year, she brought a former guest.”
Ryan explained that his connection to Mustard Seed goes back to his dad’s friendship with Amy, which is how he first learned about the shelter. “When we decided to start our FriendsGiving, we were looking for a place to help, and Mustard Seed just felt right,” he said. “We love that Mustard Seed is a place for women and children, and that they don’t have a set timeline for families. They can stay as long as they need. That’s what made it special for us.”
Even during the virtual FriendsGiving in 2020, the sense of community remained. Friends from out of state joined the Zoom call, shared photos with their Mustard Seed FriendsGiving sign, and enjoyed snacks together. “It was just nice to see everyone,” Ryan said.
His advice for anyone thinking about starting something similar? “Just add to a tradition you already have! It’s not that hard to do and makes a big difference.”
Ryan and his friends remind us that a small tradition, when combined with a big heart, can make a lasting impact. Thank you, Ryan, for sharing your kindness and keeping the spirit of giving alive!
Our work is made possible by the generous support of individuals, churches, clubs, organizations, and foundations. With 95 cents of every dollar going directly to our life-changing programs, your contributions make a tangible impact.
Our Mission: We water the seed of inner strength in women experiencing homelessness so they can make a better life for themselves and their children.