Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Mustard Seed! Your service is a vital part of our ministry, and we are incredibly grateful to have you serving alongside us as we meet the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of our Seedsters.
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The Mustard Seed’s Volunteer Policies are as follows:
● Volunteers are required to be 16 years of age or older to serve alone. Anyone who wishes to volunteer that does not meet the aforementioned age requirements must be accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.

● Schools and community organizations may obtain community service hours through The Mustard Seed. We cannot fulfill service hours for felons, infractions, or misdemeanors, including speeding tickets. The Mustard Seed reserves the right to decline any and all applications for service hours of the kinds mentioned above, as well as sanctioned hours for drug/alcohol abuse and violence.

● Volunteers who are receiving community service hours for school are responsible for keeping a record of the number of service hours served on our campus. Hour verification forms are available upon request.

● The Mustard Seed is a Christian ministry. We ask that while you are serving, you conduct yourself in a way that shines the light of Christ. Please respect the dignity of the Seedsters, staff, and other volunteers and visitors.

● Gift-in-kinds may be received in exchange for service hours. We will sign off on 1 hour for every $10 in gifts, with a maximum of 10 hours. You will not receive a tax-deductible receipt for this service, as by law, we are not allowed to provide a donation receipt if a gift was received in exchange for goods or services. It is your responsibility to check with your school or organization about their gift-in-kind policy.

● Homemade or store-bought meals may be received in exchange for service hours. We will sign off on 5 hours for every meal that feeds 12 people. You will not receive a tax-deductible receipt for this service, as described above.

● The Mustard Seed reserves the right to dismiss anyone not abiding by The Mustard Seed Volunteer Policies.

Procedures:
● All volunteers must complete a volunteer application through our website prior to volunteering. Your time will be officially scheduled when one of our staff members makes contact with you and schedules a specific time and activity for service.

● Upon arrival, volunteers will sign in and sign out at the gift shop each day of service. An exception may be made for volunteers who are on campus before or after business hours.

● As a staff, we love having volunteers on campus. While you are serving, our staff may be working, so we ask that all staff-restricted areas are not entered by volunteers.

● Please do not bounce balls, throw balls, or run while indoors.

● In the event of an emergency, all volunteers must abide by the rules of The Mustard Seed; however, volunteer chaperones are responsible for making sure everyone in their group is accounted for.


Social Media and Content:
● Photography is encouraged at The Mustard Seed so you can document the memories that are made during your time here. While videography is not prohibited, we ask that any videos be sent directly to the Volunteer Coordinator prior to publishing. We ask that you tag us if posted so we can share those memories with you. We value the privacy of our staff and Seedsters and want to ensure that all photos published are portraying our ministry in a positive light.

● To protect the privacy and well-being of everyone involved, volunteers are asked not to share or exchange personal contact information, such as phone numbers, social media, or email addresses, with Seedsters.


Working with Seedsters:
● Our staff is properly trained at redirecting our Seedsters. If you encounter improper behavior, please notify a staff member and we will be happy to find a solution. Volunteers should not redirect Seedsters.

● If you would like to write to a Seedster, please direct mail to: The Mustard Seed, 1085 Luckney Road, Brandon, MS 39047. With the name of the Seedster.

● Each Seedster has their own unique artistic vision for their artwork. We want to keep the integrity of their work intact, so if sitting with a Seedster while painting, please don’t influence their artistic ideas including painting for them or with them. Instead, encourage them on their own artistic visions.

● All food and gifts must be approved by a Mustard Seed staff member before being given to a Seedster.

● Aside from our Special Buddy Program, all volunteers will interact with Seedsters in groups of two or more to respect the dignity of everyone.

● Many of our Seedsters have sensory sensitivities related to sight, sound, and touch. Please let the Seedsters set the desired tone and level of activities.

● In an effort to limit distractions for our Seedsters, the designated time set aside for family members to volunteer in Seedster populated areas, such as the Workshop and Activity Centers, is Monday mornings from 9:00am-12:00pm. An exception may be made for pre-planned special events.

Last but not least, have fun and enjoy your time at The Mustard Seed!
Thank you for helping us Move Mountains.


“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20