Mustard Seed School: Day Five

We started Day Five with a presentation by a resident of the Mustard Seed, Les. He told us his life story and how he ended up becoming homeless. He shared with us how his perspective on homelessness has changed and how the Mustard Seed has become his home.

Here is Les’ take-home message:

“Everybody out there is somebody’s son, daughter, mother, father…they are all people. You don’t have to give money to someone on the street. Just say hello, look at them, ask them how their day is.”

We also spent some time on the rooftop patio of the Mustard Seed. We completed a Six Room poetry activity that Ms Kelsey taught us.

At the end of the morning, we walked by the site where a memorial is being built for people who have died sleeping "rough." We learned about people who advocated for that to be built so they would have a place to remember lost loved ones who didn't have a home.

Mustard Seed School: Day Four

On Day Four, Ms Kelsey read us a book called “Malala’s Magic Pencil.” In the book, Malala uses her magic pencil to help solve problems in the world.

We considered which issues we’ve learned about that we care the most about. We will be writing letters to the government to advocate for people who face these issues. Here are some of the issues we brainstormed:

In connection with our animation work, we thought of images that show how people feel invisible. We staged them in tableaux (each of us was the director for one photo). Then, we walked to Stephen Avenue and took the pictures. We will display the photos at the March conferences and our Spring Celebration.

In the afternoon, Ms Kelsey led a budgeting activity. We had to choose how we spent our money on housing, food, transportation, technology, childcare, shopping, and school. We had rockets that we used as money.

“There are only 15 rockets so it’s hard to decide. Most of my money is going towards 3 meals a day, and a 2-bedroom apartment…things that are more important than others.” ~ Isana

“It’s hard…even though it’s not actually real, it makes me think about my choices. The hardest decision was child care and the school.” ~ D

“My hardest decision was transportation and child care. If child care is at one, I’d be really busy. If I did walk, I’d be late for work. If I had a licensed day care that’s high quality, I could leave my kids there when I go to work.” ~ Nikita

We also had a presentation from Erica from Immigrant Services Calgary to hear how Calgary supports our new Canadians.

Mustard Seed School: Day Three

On Day Three, we did a walking tour of downtown Calgary. Here is a mind map of everywhere we went to and what we thought about at each place.

Mind Map from our day

Journalling at the Chinese Cultural Centre

Things we learned:

“Art can be a message to people and can enforce rules, like how the walking people say, ‘You can’t sleep here.’” ~ Jasper

“I learned the word perspective. “ ~ Chloé

“I learned about art made out of feathers at the Chinese Cultural Centre.” ~ Ina

“I learned that at one time in Canada, Chinese people weren’t welcome.” ~ James

“I learned that people can’t sleep in the +15’s.” ~ Owen

“In China, red is a lucky colour. I learned that there was a microphone in the glacier.” ~ Priya

“I learned that the winter garden is private. I learned that there is a lot of hostile architecture. I learned that the forest of trees was a cross-stitching pattern.” ~ Nikita

“I learned that water can look frozen but still be able to move.” ~ Abigail

“I learned that everyone is allowed to go in the Devonian Garden.” ~ Isla

“Homeless people can’t sleep where there’s hostile architecture.” ~ Gaby

“I learned how to make a signing bowl work. You put pressure and have perfect timing.” ~ Silas

Connections we made:

“The Winter Garden and Devonian Garden both have living walls.” ~ Jorja

“The Winter Garden and Devonian Gardens connect because they are both gardens that have water and are peaceful.” ~ D

I felt calm in both the Chinese Cultural Centre and the Winter Garden because they were both quiet.” ~ Ina

“The Winter garden was smaller and less public than the Devonian garden.” ~ Desiree

Mustard Seed School: Day Two

Acting out, The Rabbit Listened

 

On Day Two, we learned about the word: consensus. We used it during the Lemon Activity.

For the Lemon Activity, Ms Kelsey asked us to learn the story of our lemon. That was a weird thing for her to ask us to do. As a small group, we imagined the life story of our lemon, what its name was, and how it was feeling. Then, we shared with the class.

After we shared, Ms Kelsey collected our lemons and mixed them up. She asked us to come up as a small group and find “our” lemon. We had to use consensus to make sure everyone in the group agreed that it was our lemon. At the end, we discussed.

Why was it so easy to find your lemon?

“Because every one has a different shape. Our lemon had a weird lump.” ~ Jaxton

“Our group’s lemon had a little face.” ~ Charlotte

“Our lemon had a tattoo, like the others, and a green tip and a brown dot which made it special.” ~ Desiree

“It’s because lemons are all the same (sour, flavourful) but they look different.” ~ Priya

We thought that all lemons were the same but then we learned that they are each unique and special.

How does that connect to our work at the Mustard Seed?

“Everyone has a story to tell and a gift to give.” ~ Nikita

“When you meet a person, you might think that all homeless people are the same but if you meet them, you’d realize they’re completely different.” ~ Ina

“Everyone is different because everyone has a different story.” ~ Owen

“Once you see a person, you think all homeless people are the same but once you learn their story, you see that they’re different.” ~ Gaby

“We need to be kind to everybody.” ~ James

We discussed stereotypes and how harmful they can be. They can make an entire group of people feel unwelcome or unsafe.

In the afternoon, we had a presentation from Jenny from Help Seeker.

She told us that the word community means strength together.

Then, we imagined what it would be like to be different people (like a senior citizen, someone sleeping rough, etc.). We discussed the challenges that person would face. For example, a senior citizen might need help in the areas of health care, disabilities, financial aid, transportation, or recreation.

Help Seeker is a website and app that helps people find the information they need to get help in different areas.

Then, Ms Kelsey showed us a stairwell full of art in the Mustard Seed. It was created after the creator of the Mustard Seed, Pat, saw people spray-painting grafitti on the walls outside the SEED. Pat invited the guys inside to instead create a beautiful stairwell full of art. We spent some time journalling.

Mustard Seed School: Day One

On Day One, we met at the Mustard Seed. Ms Kelsey, our Mustard Seed teacher, gave us a tour and told us the history of the Mustard Seed. We got to see the residence the Mustard Seed has, their rec room, the shared kitchen areas, and we watched a video to see what the rooms are like. The Mustard Seed has long-term rental housing. The students started thinking about what would be essential to have in a suite, such as a bed, dresser, desk, or bathroom. When we’re back at school next week, we will continue this project by designing an affordable housing room.

In the afternoon, we visited City Hall. We attended a City Council Meeting to see democracy in action! We learned about a proposed land change in Tuscany. Builders would like to build townhouses, so they need permission from the city to build there. We heard that they have measured how much traffic goes by each day, and they’ve engaged with community members so they are informed about the plan and have had the chance to make suggestions and ask questions. We were welcomed by the Ward 11 City Councilor, and got to stand up while the room applauded for us! J