Client Stories

Each client who comes to The Mustard Seed has a unique story, and all of them have the same goal – to turn their house into a home so they can rebuild their lives. Your support of The Mustard Seed truly transforms lives and helps makes our community a better place for all. You make all the difference. Learn about your impact by reading the stories below.

Beds for Erica, Anthony, and Their Children

Erica and Anthony were attending their son’s funeral, when natural disaster claimed their home and all their possessions. The couple and their children resided in Tallahassee, and in May, a series of tornados tore through their area of town, result… continue reading

Furniture for Risa

For Risa, multiple debilitating medical diagnoses affecting her physically and cognitively left her in need care. “I went from [being] a nurse, to working at Walgreens, and then I couldn’t even do that. I had to stop driving…it was in everyone… continue reading

A Table for Brittney

“I work full time, but I really only make enough to pay rent, lights, and make sure my kids have their necessities.”
Brittney’s situation is like many of our neighbors in Central Florida. Furnishing an apartment is expensive, and sourcing furni… continue reading

Furniture for Grace and Her Family

“We’d had our son home for less than a year before our home flooded.”
For Grace, complications during pregnancy and premature birth led to a long NICU stay for her son. Her child was released from the NICU in January of 2022. Then Hurricane Ia… continue reading

Beds for Anita and Her Children

“My family and I were in a crisis. Me and my kids were homeless for the last 5 months.”
A lease termination and stable housing falling through was all it took for Anita and her 4 children to find themselves homeless. “My husband left me back in… continue reading

The Furniture That Made Healing Possible

Mr. Manning is a U.S. Navy veteran, a lifelong high performer, and a deeply reflective individual who believes in purpose, resilience, and community. From a young age, he learned how to stand on his own—building a life shaped by discipline, service, and determination. After his military service, …

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A Home That Helps Charles Rebuild His Future

When Charles arrived at The Mustard Seed, he was living alone with all of his belongings stored in bags. “I have bags everywhere,” he explained. “Nothing has a place right now.” After working hard to rebuild his life through SSVF, he came hoping to create a space that finally felt stable—a…

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A Comfy New Start for Jada

When Jada received the keys to her new apartment, it was the fresh start she had been working toward for herself and her four young children—three boys and one baby girl. But starting over with an empty space and little support made it hard to feel like home. She was referred to The Mustard Seed b…

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Latest News

Meet the Board: Richard Montes

December 30, 2025

When Richard Montes first stepped into The Mustard Seed of Central Florida’s warehouse—introduced by a fellow board member—something clicked. Seeing the mission in action, meeting the team, and witnessing the impact firsthand made the decision easy. As Richard puts it, once he met Kathy and th… read more

Interview with a Board Member: Stephanie Philips

May 8, 2025

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida is grateful for the commitment of our dedicated board members. Stephanie Philips is Executive Director for Patient Safety at AdventHealth in Central Florida, leading and supporting efforts to ensure patient and workforce safety. A nurse for 30+ years, Stephanie is… read more