Mustard Seed Community Overview

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Mustard Seed Community Germination The Mustard Seed Community is an approach to education, business, and life developed by Kathleen Kilbane, CSJ. She developed the model during her experience as Director of several non-profit outreach programs in their formative years: the West Side Catholic Center, the shelter-based outreach of Cleveland Municipal School District Office of Adult & Continuing Education, and Seeds of Literacy. Her career has been a ministry that found its inspiration in Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed:

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a farmer took and planted in the field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, it grows into the largest of garden plants, into a tree where the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." The Mustard Seed Community starts with either a loose grouping of volunteers or a couple wholly committed individuals within an established organization who share values of compassion, service, and response to human need.

Classroom Structure The adult education classroom of the Mustard Seed Community is a place of shared responsibility between the Site Managers, volunteer tutors, and students. New students help create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) based on their goals and assessment results. Site Managers oversee the implementation of the ILP through assigning materials, matching with tutors, and assessing progress. During class time, students may work independently, exclusively with a tutor, or ask for help as needed. Relationships built between students and tutors yield increased commitment and accelerated learning. Classroom tutoring should be embedded within other services offered by the Mustard Seed Community.

Farrell Ink Educational Consulting Services Farrell Ink works with the members of the Mustard Seed Community to address community needs. We provide educational consulting for the following steps in your program development process:

2009 Farrell Ink

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Free initial consultation and quote. Establishing or facilitating community collaborations. Designing and implementing programs or interventions. Increasing the utilization and effectiveness of volunteers. Writing grants and designing marketing materials. Training for staff, volunteers, and community partners. Evaluating program outcomes and strategic planning.

2009 Farrell Ink