04/08/2026
Meet Colin!
A year ago, Colin came to The Mustard Seed with a simple but meaningful goal: to give back. “I wanted to get more involved in giving back,” he says, “and to get a better sense of what people are like who need these kinds of social services.”
From then on, every Thursday morning, Colin serves at the Guest Services Intake Desk, welcoming people as they arrive. “I enjoy meeting people,” he shares. “And I enjoy knowing that I’m helping.” He values the small moments when he can connect with people.
“I like hearing people’s stories,” he says. One conversation that stayed with him was with a guest recovering from cancer. “He was telling me about his experience, and I just find that interesting… I like to interact with people.”
He brings a quiet intention to every shift. “Wherever I go, I try to exude love,” Colin explains. “Maybe people don’t feel it, but maybe, on some level, it improves their lives a little bit. And that would improve my life too.”
Volunteering here has changed how Colin sees the street community. “We all see people on the street, and many of us make instant judgments,” he reflects. “I wanted to get closer, to understand.” Through one-on-one conversations, that understanding has grown. “I’ve gained more compassion for people by getting to know them.”
He hopes The Seed can continue serving without concern for underlying finances. “It’s a great service to the community. Something we absolutely need here in Victoria,” he says. “There are many people here who truly care about others’ lives.”
Thank you, Colin, for your compassion, your openness, and your quiet determination to see people as they truly are.
