Riverside Meadows and The Mustard Seed struggling with rough campers

Chad Krahn, Vice President of the Riverside Meadows Community Association, says his neighbourhood is in a unique position because it is home to The Mustard Seed.

“They work fairly hard to obtain good community support, but they’re still figuring out how to do their thing. They add a lot of value to our city and to that population,” he says. “You’d hate to say not in my backyard, and then it goes in someone else’s. That doesn’t solve the problem.”

One dilemma is that The Mustard Seed clientele have repeatedly set up camps in the parks just north and west of their building, leaving behind debris and spaces that are not family-friendly.

Krahn says he’s sympathetic to the plight of the homeless population, adding it’s unfair to characterize them as “lazy bums,” but some residents have suggested The Mustard Seed doesn’t belong.

“People will associate them saying these are The Mustard Seed’s people,” says Byron Bradley, Central Alberta Managing Director for The Mustard Seed. He remains unfazed by the negative comments.

“We do know some of them, but some we don’t. We do not provide programs and services on our property to people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”

Bradley says since moving into the former Loaves and Fishes building in July 2016, they’ve been engaged in community life, sending representatives to every meeting of the community association.

Most recently, The Mustard Seed hosted a Green Deer clean-up event, where a number of their own clients participated.

“We’re discouraging any type of illegal activity and that includes the littering or using of drugs or alcohol,” Bradley insists. “We’re really talking as straight as we possibly can to ensure they’re respecting the environment as much as possible.”

The Mustard Seed also has ongoing outreach efforts, in its facility and on the streets, Bradley points out. These include referring people to housing and employment opportunities, reconnecting them with family, and providing water and first aid.

“Five days a week, we’re out there having these conversations, doing our part as good neighbours,” he says. “We’re in this community caring for the most vulnerable. We are working very hard at making 350 lunches a day, feeding close to 200 people at all of our dinners.”

Bradley agrees with Krahn and believes that at the end of the day, the solution is more affordable and supportive housing, something The Mustard Seed has a strong desire to have a part in providing.

Between September and November 2017, City crews cleaned up 64 rough sleeper camps, 60 per cent of which were abandoned. Since city council approved $400,000 for clean-up in the 2018 Operating Budget last January, workers have responded to 85 camps, most of which were active.

The City conducted its latest Point in Time homeless count in April with the results expected this summer.

About 85 rough sleeper camps have been cleaned up across Red Deer so far in 2018.

City council will be tasked later this year with reviewing The City’s plan to end homelessness, which is currently dated to end in 2018.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Riverside Meadows and The Mustard Seed struggling with rough campers

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