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Mission
The Mustard Seed Project is an innovative volunteer-based service for individuals experiencing homelessness; our mission is to provide low barrier access to basic needs and services for displaced communities around the USC campus & greater LA area. We foster a person-centered approach to homelessness services, and apply best practice and data driven techniques to homeless outreach. We hope to develop young leaders in professionalism, political competency, and ethics while educating the public, and the USC student body, about homelessness in their respective communities.
The Mustard Seed Project, which is affiliated with the International Mustard Seed Project Organization, follows a mission guided by a “hand up, not hand out” philosophy, to connect unsheltered individuals to services and programs through community organization, relationship-based outreach, and volunteer case management.
We hope to direct outreach and volunteer projects across Los Angeles to distribute basic supplies such as food and water to displaced populations; we will also work with our Chapter Advisors and the Directors of MSP to disseminate housing, pro-bono consulting, and work opportunities to displaced populations.

Membership Benefits
USC Mustard Seed Project defines membership on three different levels; Open Membership, General/Voting Membership, and Executive Membership.
Open membership is not restricted by dues, interviews, or application process – this entails that all members of the USC student body are free to join MSP as an Open Member without being bound by any restrictions. Open Members are able to attend all General Member meetings, and learn about homelessness in the Greater Los Angeles area. They will also be able to assist in the planning of volunteer events, and partake in two volunteer events per semester. Open Members will be able to learn about the legal, health, and economic implications of displacement in their community, enabling them to educate the rest of the USC student body about the mission of The Mustard Seed Project.
General/Voting Members must pay dues of $30.00USD/semester in order to be eligible to vote on matters concerning MSPSC, and have a larger stake in the planning and execution of events. On top of sharing the benefits of Open Membership, these members will also be able to attend more than two volunteer events a semester, and reap the benefits of hands-on and in-field relief with displaced communities in the GTLA area.
Executive Membership is limited to the Officers of the Mustard Seed Project; these positions are outlined in the organization's Constitution, and require a formal application and interview process. The details regarding this process can be found in the MSPSC Constitution. These members must still pay the $30.00USD/semester dues required for General Membership, but have the largest stake in planning and executing events. These members are required to attend all General Member meetings, as well as Executive Board meetings, and are responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of the organization.