Tags
Affordable Housing, Alberta, Calgary, Canada, Charity, community, compassion, Diana Schwenk, dreams, History, Homelessness, Hump Day Chronicles, life, living in the moment, memories, passion, Purpose, Relationships, The Mustard Seed
It was a beautiful Friday morning when I stepped out of my apartment to walk to the Mustard Seed. I intentionally chose a route that would take me past the original Mustard Seed at 521 13 Avenue SW.
Although the building no longer exists and the site has become an extension of First Baptist’s parking lot, it is a place that I often come to when I feel lost or need to make a major decision – a sacred space, if you will.
In my mind’s eye I can still see all the people on the porch of the old house that served as The Seed’s coffee house drop-in. Back then, the idea of housing folks who were homeless was just a glint in our eye, a dream we kept like a treasure in our hearts.
Unknown to us at the time, people like Jeff would spend the night wrapped in a sleeping bag tucked behind the boards under the porch. And occasionally I brought teenaged girls home with me, or spent the night with them at that old house.
The old Veteran’s Hospital used to be across the street where the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre now stands. I remember seeing the faces of the old Veterans pressed against the windows, no doubt wondering what in tarnation was going on across the street. When they learned that we would be moving to 102 11 Avenue SE in the early 90s, they lamented that they would miss, what they called, the greatest entertainment around.
Ahh but that was then and this is now. And I was on my way to the Mustard Seed for the grand opening of the 1010 Centre.
Stephen Wile, CEO of the Mustard Seed welcomed his guests including donors, government representatives, members of the Resolve Campaign team and past and present staff and volunteers.
He spoke of his gratitude to all in attendance; those who were there in the beginning with the vision and dream, those who began the process of implementing the plan and those who now occupy the centre’s spaces and facilitate hopes and dreams within its walls.
Pat Nixon, former CEO and Founder of the Mustard Seed spoke to the beginnings of the vision, the early meetings with key stakeholders and the objections and NIMBYism that arose and were overcome.
He went on to talk about the NOW, the new beginning in a building containing homes for up to 224 people and how these homes will change the lives of thousands.
Then a current resident spoke. She started by saying that three years ago she had it all; things were going well.
And then her husband died. And she fell into a depression and lost her job. Things continued on a downward spiral until she lost her home and was living in her car.
She eventually ended up at the 1010 Centre and spoke about the programs and wonderful staff who have lifted her out of despair.
“I don’t know if you noticed when you walked in,” she said. “But there are three little words on the main floor – Hope Grows Here – check it out when you leave, if you didn’t see it on the way in. Those words are true.”
The grand opening included other inspirational speakers, a tour of the facility and an incredible lunch. I got to see people I haven’t seen in years and I was witness to the dream, realized.
It was an emotional event for me, one that I feel honoured to have been invited to and privileged to have attended.
“Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
I am fortunate to see this dream fulfilled. Often that isn’t the case in life. Do you ever wonder about how something you started turned out in the end?
markbialczak said:
I’m so glad you were invited to see the dream come true, Diana. Wow. To take teenage girls home with you because they had nowhere, and now know they and others have a place like this because of hard work and good people, is a sign of your diligence and the perseverance of a whole bunch of great people in your city. Bravo to you all, and all you will help, Diana. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks for your beautiful kind and heartfelt words Mark. ❤
Diana xo
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Minuscule Moments said:
Diana just hearing that woman’s story broke my heart. i don’t think people give it any thought as to why someone ends up on the street. But it could happen to any of us. What a great day that must have been. You must feel happiness for all the people who now will have somewhere to go and get support. thank you for lifting up my day.
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dianasschwenk said:
Kath, she is an amazing storyteller and I did not do her story justice here. And yes, to see the vision become reality is beyond joy for me. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
By the way, I love that floral photo header. It’s a wonderful live pattern of lightness and life.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jean, I liked it too and how the background is blurry. Taken with my blackberry q10 haha. ❤
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Jean said:
Glad you could make it there and also that you worked there.
The recent story of the woman who thought everything was hunky dory until…. is a serious reminder of our vulnerability.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yeah, isn’t it Jean? I was quite moved by her story and she is a great storyteller ta boot! ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Wonderful, Diana.
So rewarding.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes it is Alan, thank you. ❤
Diana xo
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rachelcarrera said:
That’s so cool! I love how you are so passionate about helping the homeless. (Though I honestly didn’t think there were as many homeless up in the cold weather areas.) It’s so cool that you got invited back to attend. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
There are poor and homeless people everywhere, it seems Rachel. Yeah, I was thrilled to be invited. ❤
Diana xo
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mrs fringe said:
Beautiful. And that you were invited speaks volumes to just how much of a lasting impact your work and compassion continue to have on this project, this offering of not “just” a safe haven, but hope. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Mrs. F – it was awesome! ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
What is sad is when people lose hope, hope can give us a reason to crawl out of bed in the morning, the hope that this day will be a great one, hope that someone will give us a hug and a smile and make the day feel bright and wonderful.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, Jo-Anne, I agree. If you lose hope, what’s left. Hope is a gift, and although intangible, a great thing to have! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
Whenever there is hope, there is healing. I love this story Diana. You should be proud to be apart of this project. You are a beautiful person. Holding a vision for a goal comes with discipline and commitment. I have been involved in helping build a children’s hospice. It will open at the end of the year. Like Mustard Seed, it will change people’s lives forever and most importantly give them hope. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Sounds like a wonderful project Karen, I wish you much success. Although hope is hard to measure, I fear it is often undervalued. ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
So true.
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jmgoyder said:
Absolutely wonderful!
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dianasschwenk said:
It was a lovely event, indeed. Thanks Julie! ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
❤️ Hope ❤️ Grows ❤️ Here ❤️
Love this inspiring post Diana.
Thank you for sharing the hope.
xo
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome Val, thank you for dropping by! ❤
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
“… each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen the original words for this before (and I like it!: ) ; but I most definitely had heard the much more Doom and Gloom: “Ye shall reap what Ye sow. ” version…
Thanks for sharing a great story Diana: )
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure Deb and thank you for your lovely comment! ❤
Diana xo
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Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
The reference here to mustard seed is so potently positive – as they’re such an incredibly [prolifically; ] self-seeding plant – and impossible to stop once they get going…
(Say, has anyone ever referred to you as their little mustard seed? LOL; ) and Congratulations!
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dianasschwenk said:
Nope, can’t say they have Deb! 😀
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Jim McKeever said:
This is wonderful, Diana … thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do for those who need someone to care about them.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jim and you’re welcome! I hope to write a post about my new job soon! ❤
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
How wonderful to be part of such a meaningful organization. I sometimes wonder how my former students are– where, what they’re up to, etc. If I stop to figure out how old my first class now is… wow… makes you realize how fast time flies.
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dianasschwenk said:
How old is your first class Lisa?? Do you ever try to google them?
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Jennifer's Journal said:
This is wonderful work, and must be very rewarding when someone is given new hope like that resident stated. As for myself, I have never had a job in this field, but I did manage to raise two children who work to help others.
Great post, Diana. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
I loved the resident’s story Jennifer. No doubt your kids work to help others – look who their mom is! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Thanks. xoxo
I did what I could at the time, Diana, and they made me proud.
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dianasschwenk said:
Our children are such a blessing Jennifer!
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Tracy Lee Karner said:
Wow! I love it when visions like this one succeed. How awesome that you get to do the meaningful, important work of planting, tending, and growing Hope!
❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Tracy! I’m not there anymore, left in 2010, but am so happy to see this project’s completion! ❤
Diana xo
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Kelly said:
I wish I lived close to join in the festivities. So many years in the making. Amazing!
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dianasschwenk said:
Is this Kelly E? Yes it has a rich history for sure! ❤
Diana xo
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susielindau said:
It is so cool there’s a place for people to go when they have lost all hope and even cooler that you are involved!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Susie! I no longer work there, but it was nice to get an invite to the grand opening! ❤
Diana xo
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