On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to estimates from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. That number has been steadily increasing since the late 1970’s, while more and more working families (i.e. “the working poor”), living day to day on the bare minimum, find themselves dangerously closer to becoming homeless. According to information and statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, families with children make up 37% of the homeless, and children are one of the fastest growing segments of the general homeless population.
When children become homeless, their education suffers, yet without a quality education, children who are homeless can’t gain the necessary skills they will need to escape the poverty that resulted in their families becoming homeless in the first place. This is one way the cycle of poverty is perpetuated- poverty results in homelessness, and homelessness, through its obstacles to education, leads to more poverty for the next generation. Like many cities of its size, Sacramento too has seen its number of homeless families spike in recent years. But, thankfully, some of the homeless children in our area will have the education-as well as the hope and self-esteem- they’ll need to create a better life for themselves, thanks, in large part, to the Mustard Seed School.

Established in February 1989 as a free private school for homeless children ages 3-15 years, Sacramento’s Mustard Seed School provides children of homeless families with a safe and welcoming environment where they can not only further their education, but also find stability and understanding. On average, 15-35 children attend The Mustard Seed School every day. The School is an on-site program established by Loaves and Fishes, a regional homeless shelter serving Sacramento’s indigent population. Its funding comes from a combination of private contributions from the community, corporations, grants, family trusts and endowments.
The Mustard Seed School is not intended to be a long-term educational solution for homeless children. A student’s average stay with the school is 3-4 weeks, provided their families have found stable living conditions. In addition to providing survival resources (food, clothing and shelter referrals), medical and dental screenings, immunization updates and counseling for children and their parents, the school helps homeless children fill in any gaps in their education and continue their academic studies. The mostly volunteer teachers and staff also endeavor to help their students feel more confident and secure. In keeping with that purpose, the school environment is made as inviting and welcoming as humanly possible.

“It’s really hard to track it,” says Mustard Seed’s Janet Green, of the ratio of homeless students re-entering public schools. “Families must first find a new place to stay.” Green has been at the Mustard Seed School long enough to attest to this. She is one of the school’s co-directors, along with Sue Supple. As she patrols the Kindergarten class, Green points to a watercolor painting a child is working on. “Oh, I like that!” Green says with encouragement. A young girl looks up and asks Green if she likes her painting too. “Yes, yes. I like them all. Great work,” she says with a big smile.

Adults at the school are called by their first name, with “Mr.”, “Ms.” or “Mrs.” attached to the beginning. Mr. Fred conducts the assessment reviews for the children, seeing where each child is academically and recommending placement accordingly. Asked what the most difficult part of his job is, Fred answers immediately (and wearily), “Working within the time constraints with the children.” He gives each child as much time for assessment as he possibly can, but explains that “being able to keep these kids together and on time is difficult.”

Mustard Seed staff members do all they can to support the children’s regular attendance, even picking them up when they need transportation from wherever they may have spent the night- in shelters, cars, tents or out on the streets. And while the school adheres to California State academic standards and the requirements of the No Child Left Behind statutes, it allows students to complete class work at a more flexible and independent pace - something of great importance for kids whose uncertain living conditions can leave them physically fatigued and emotionally fragile. Kids are encouraged to learn at their own pace while teachers are able to slow down, or even pause, their lessons in order to address an individual child’s question, learning needs or emotional well-being. The focus is on building a connection and building up the children’s sense of self-worth.

While the Mustard Seed School does not have the full spectrum of after-school programs offered by most mainstream schools, it does offer a wide array of curriculum, including science (with Mr. Tom) and gardening and moral values (both taught by Mr. Bill). It also offers self-defense and martial arts lessons (through Kovar’s Satori Academy) as part of the school’s standard physical education curriculum. “Eight out of 10 homeless children have been physically assaulted in their lives,” says Sophia Powers, a self-defense instructor from the Kovar’s school who has volunteered at Mustard Seed for 19 months. While the self-defense techniques she offers her students might be vital to their survival on the streets, she is also quick to stress, “It’s not just about self-defense, it’s also about being a loving and compassionate person… They learn about the principles and values of a martial artist.” Powers is clearly inspired by her students. She describes how the kids often have to reverse roles with their parents, insisting they get to school for important events such as tip testing (the system by which students’ progress through the martial arts curriculum is assessed). She often sees them providing themselves with the discipline and encouragement that parents normally provide. The Mustard Seed staff works to help the children in cultivating those qualities, but it also strives to create an environment where the children can find some relief from that heavy sense of responsibility, a place where they can just be children.

The Mustard Seed School is not an end-all, be-all solution to the epidemic of poverty and homelessness affecting families in Sacramento. While it does provide a safe, secure and compassionate harbor for children of homeless families, the school alone cannot provide a complete solution. That solution may rest within our community and how we, as a whole, will acknowledge homelessness and endeavor to help those in need.

Looking to Get Involved?

Volunteer:
Contact Gail, volunteer coordinator, at 916-446-0874 or by email at volunteer@sacramentoloavesandfishes.org. Volunteer orientation tours are also offered every Thursday at 10 a.m. or the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m., by appointment. These tours give a background of Loaves and Fishes and a brief introduction to its programs.

Donate:
Mustard Seed School is a program of Loaves & Fishes, a nonprofit organization that neither solicits nor receives any government funding. Mustard Seed depends on private donations for salaries and operating expenses. Donations are tax deductible.

Grant a Wish:
In addition to funds for maintaining teachers, staff and facilities, the school has a seasonal list of wishes you can make come true!
Copy Paper
Photo Paper
Blue Poster Putty
Gel Notepads & Pens
Bottled Water
Cones for P. E.
Bus/Light Rail Tickets
Books
Small Gifts (Travel Size)
DVD Player
Deodorant (for Men & Women)
Beads & Jewelry Kits
Disposable Cameras
Pleasant Smelling Foaming Hand Soap
Healthy Snack Foods (low salt, low sugar)

Gift Certificates are also appreciated and can be used to purchase food for families, given out for a timely meal or used to purchase clothing or supplies for the students or for classrooms: Grocery Stores * Costco * Target * Home Depot * Office Depot * Fry’s * Theatre Tickets * Movie Tickets (including IMAX) * Restaurants * PETCO * GW School Supplies * Art Stores * Music Stores… etc. (Please call for information if you would like to purchase particular field trip tickets, art supplies, etc.)

You can visit www.sacramentoloavesandfishes.org/mustardseed.html, the Mustard Seed School’s website, to glimpse just some of the impressive art work students have produced, including poems, such as these, full of equal parts heartbreak and hope:

A Poem
There was a little boy
who was very poor,
Everybody had alot.
he never had more,
People made fun of him
Because his clothes looked funny,
When their families had a lot
His barely had any money,
Everyone thought that they were so
good that they were all above,
But all he cared about was
that he had love
by a 12-year-old girl

Hopes and Dreams

I wish for food.
I wish for snow.
I wish for Christmas and Easter
by Andrew, age 5
I would like to be a drawer
I would like to be a author.
I would like to help poor people.
By Kenny, age 7

I hope to be a policeman.
I hope to go to college.
I hope to be able to help people.
By Lindsay, age 8