Royal Alberta Museum partners with The Mustard Seed on greeter program

A local organization that works with people facing poverty and homelessness in Edmonton has partnered with the Royal Alberta Museum to provide its clients with meaningful work.

When the new Royal Alberta Museum opened its doors in the downtown core in October, it launched a new greeter program. The program employs clients from The Mustard Seed as a way to provide them with work at a livable wage.

“This job is allowing me to have the money to study towards a future job. Since I’m working, I’ll also have references that I can use,” said Rosheen, a greeter who The Mustard Seed said has been on medical welfare for the past few years.

It’s meant to empower people who face barriers seeking work, by providing them with training and experience to reintegrate into the workplace.

“Many community participants coming through our employment programming struggle to find and maintain work due to physical disabilities, mental health challenges, addictions, homelessness, and more,” said Mario Borba, The Mustard Seed’s employment and immigrant services manager.

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“This opportunity with the Royal Alberta Museum allows us to offer an understanding, supportive work environment for people so that they may develop workplace skills and, most importantly, gain confidence.”

The greeters welcome guests to the museum, provide customer service, answer questions and direct visitors throughout the facility.

“It’s been wonderful getting to know The Mustard Seed greeter team and seeing their growth in this role over the last few months,” said Christina Harbak, admissions coordinator at the Royal Alberta Museum.

“They provide a meaningful service for our visitors, offering a friendly smile and sharing helpful information about the museum. We’re thrilled that not only museum visitors benefit from this warm welcome, but that the greeters are gaining rewarding experiences and connections through this initiative. It’s a win-win.”

The 419,000-square-foot Royal Alberta Museum opened its doors on Oct. 3. The $375.5-million facility welcomed 23,000 visitors in its opening weekend.

Watch below: Take a video tour through the exhibits at the Royal Alberta Museum

4:27 A look back at how the new Royal Alberta Museum came to be

• A look back at how the new Royal Alberta Museum came to be
• Royal Alberta Museum: Indigenous culture showcased
• Royal Alberta Museum: Contemporary Alberta
• Royal Alberta Museum: Children’s Gallery
• Royal Alberta Museum: lobby
• Royal Alberta Museum: Bug Gallery
• Royal Alberta Museum: Human History exhibit
• Royal Alberta Museum: Gems and Minerals of the World
• Royal Alberta Museum: Bug nursery
• Royal Alberta Museum: Natural History exhibit
• Royal Alberta Museum lead architect on the work done leading up to Wednesday’s opening

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