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.

Client Story: Carly and Omer

Carly, her husband, Omer, and their 17-year-old son fled Venezuela in 2021 to escape danger for speaking out against the country’s tyrannical government. They took a bus to Colombia, then flew to Mexico and crossed the border into the United S… continue reading

Client Story: Kimberly

Kimberly and her dog, Hasani, a shih tzu poodle mix, lived in a car for two months after moving to Orlando from California.

Kimberly, originally from Orlando, worked at a motel in California but had to leave the state after struggling to pay her … continue reading

Client Story: Vidette and Christopher

Vidette and her husband, Christopher, 4-year-old son, Micah, and Vidette’s mother, Dorothy, were upstairs in their townhome dancing to oldies music when their dog started barking downstairs.
It was about 2 p.m. on a Saturday in March when the famil… continue reading

Client Story: Maritza

Maritza, 46, survived the Pulse nightclub shooting that killed 49 victims and wounded 53 others on June 12, 2016.
For Maritza, her emotional scars run deep having lost her dear friend, Stanley, who was 23 years old when he was killed at Pulse.
“I s… continue reading

Client Story: Emylee

Emylee and her two children, Ayana, 1, and Liyah, 5, lived in seven Orlando hotels after leaving their home in Connecticut.
The 24-year-old single mother and her children moved back to Orlando in 2020 to escape unsafe circumstances.  Emylee and her … continue reading

Furniture for Maria and her Siblings

After her mother was incarcerated, Maria, age 23, took custody of her three teenage siblings. “The situation was horrible. We didn’t have anywhere to live. I just wanted a better way of life for my siblings.” Maria connected with a case manager, who was able to secure her housing, and referred…

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Beds for Erick and His Children

For Erick, single father to four children, receiving help from The Mustard Seed was a comfort. Erick explained of his circumstances, “We were all sharing one blow up bed because we couldn’t afford beds for the kids.” Three of Erick’s four children are on the autism spectrum. He shares of his…

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Furniture for Daniell and Her Children

For Daniell, single mother to four children, connecting to resources in the Central Florida community has given her the tools to rebuild her life. Finding herself homeless in June of 2021, Daniell stayed at Orlando Union Rescue Mission while taking classes with Jobs Partnership. “I graduated in th…

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Latest News

TMS Furnishes The Bradley House

May 8, 2023

Where do you turn in situations of crisis? For employees of AdventHealth, one option is The Bradley House, which is used by Team Members in need of a safe place to stay as they transition into permanent housing following loss of home, domestic violence incidents, etc. With the help of AdventHealth… read more

10 Years of Leadership: An Interview with Kathy Baldwin

March 23, 2023

The Mustard Seed is not only celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, but also has hit a special leadership milestone. Executive Director, Kathy Baldwin, has been leading The Mustard Seed for 10 years. In the following interview, Kathy shares her experience leading TMS.
Can you share a little b… read more