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| Rudy and his wife, Candace. |
Me: So, Rudy, what do you do here at The Mustard Seed?
Rudy: Basically, I manage the drop-in, where we try our best to give people a safe place from the streets. People can come to the drop-in for a meal, to warm up on a cold winter's day or to connect with others.
Rudy: Basically, I manage the drop-in, where we try our best to give people a safe place from the streets. People can come to the drop-in for a meal, to warm up on a cold winter's day or to connect with others.
Me: What’s something not many people know about you?
Rudy: I have a Bachelor of Arts – Intercultural Studies. I love culture and diversity; I believe it’s what makes Canada a great place to live.
Rudy: I have a Bachelor of Arts – Intercultural Studies. I love culture and diversity; I believe it’s what makes Canada a great place to live.
Me: What’s a favorite story from your work here?
Rudy: While our drop-in is a safe place, we also want it to empower people to move forward. I have heard so many stories from community members in which our drop-in was their first step towards setting and achieving their goals. A gentleman in our housing program continues to say that The Mustard Seed staff helped rescue him from the streets. He used to be homeless with lack of purpose and hope and would come to the drop-in regularly to talk and connect with staff. Eventually he was hired by The Mustard Seed for a community clean-up project, which launched a journey for him of regaining his dignity and self-worth. Now, he has his own apartment through our housing program, is an employee of SeedWorks, and is doing great! This is one example of how impactful relationships can be built.
Rudy: While our drop-in is a safe place, we also want it to empower people to move forward. I have heard so many stories from community members in which our drop-in was their first step towards setting and achieving their goals. A gentleman in our housing program continues to say that The Mustard Seed staff helped rescue him from the streets. He used to be homeless with lack of purpose and hope and would come to the drop-in regularly to talk and connect with staff. Eventually he was hired by The Mustard Seed for a community clean-up project, which launched a journey for him of regaining his dignity and self-worth. Now, he has his own apartment through our housing program, is an employee of SeedWorks, and is doing great! This is one example of how impactful relationships can be built.
Me: What is your favorite thing about your job?
Rudy: Being able to lead an amazing group of staff! I get to invest into staff, who then create trusting relationships with broken and hurt individuals, and something beautiful happens. Trust is a rare thing on the streets, so when a staff can break through and help people believe trust is possible, that’s when true, positive change can happen.
Rudy: Being able to lead an amazing group of staff! I get to invest into staff, who then create trusting relationships with broken and hurt individuals, and something beautiful happens. Trust is a rare thing on the streets, so when a staff can break through and help people believe trust is possible, that’s when true, positive change can happen.
Me: What’s a piece of advice you’d give to others, now that you’ve worked at The Mustard Seed?
Rudy: Usually when we see a person we automatically create some sort of label. Sometimes it is homeless, poor, middle class, high class, etc. My piece of advice would be to recognize the face behind the label because behind every face there is a story. I have come to realize once I hear a person’s story it becomes impossible to create labels. Every story is unique; it sums up a journey that brought a person to an exact moment in time. Stories tend to show the heart of every individual and the heart is a true reflection of who that person really is.
Rudy: Usually when we see a person we automatically create some sort of label. Sometimes it is homeless, poor, middle class, high class, etc. My piece of advice would be to recognize the face behind the label because behind every face there is a story. I have come to realize once I hear a person’s story it becomes impossible to create labels. Every story is unique; it sums up a journey that brought a person to an exact moment in time. Stories tend to show the heart of every individual and the heart is a true reflection of who that person really is.
Well, there you have it folks, a glimpse into Rudy and his experiences here. I pray this has given you a little taste of who he is and his role at The Mustard Seed.
What questions would you ask our staff to get to know them?
-Karina
-Karina
You can follow me on Twitter, @la_canadiense
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