Mustard Seed fair readies people for jobs while building dignity

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

Résumé and cover letter building, as well as haircuts, beard trims, makeovers and program registration were all done on-site Tuesday.

todd becker retiring

Innisfail to begin search for new CAO

3h ago

last seen april 17

Missing: Amy Roan, 33, of Ermineskin

3h ago

First surplus since 2015

City of Red Deer reports improved finances in annual report

5h ago

Bradley acknowledges it’d be easy for the average citizen to be frustrated when they hear that not every homeless person is flocking to The Mustard Seed’s Riverside Meadows location to take advantage of these offerings, but he says it’s just not that simple.

“The root causes of poverty and homelessness are very challenging and complicated,” he says. “The people who are the most vulnerable are often dealing with concurrent disorders. Over 75 per cent of them who are street-involved have mental health issues and they are likely also dealing with addiction issues or physical health barriers. So you put those things together and some people are not ready for change.”

Bradley explains that in social work, there is what’s called the ‘stages of change’ model, the first step of which is called pre-contemplation, where someone is not ready to face their issues. The next step is contemplation where a person knows they have issues and that they need to be solved.

“If they don’t want to, we can’t force them, but we’re here if they’re ready to jump and move forward,” he says. “We’ll support them the best that we can and refer them to others.”

Janet Davey, director at MC College’s Red Deer campus, was at The Mustard Seed with students offering manicures and similar treatments.

“It’s important to show the students what we can do in our industry to give back to our communities, and it just feels really good to reach out and help others when they need it,” she says.

“Reach out a helping hand,” is Davey’s advice for others in the community. “They need love, whether that’s a friendly help or a smile, those little actions instill integrity when they feel like they’ve lost their place or their footing in their life’s journey.”