Help Me Serve in the Dominican Republic with Mustard Seed Communities

Hi everyone!

My name is Sophia Guzik, and I’m incredibly honored to share that I’ve been selected as one of only 5 students from Salve Regina University to participate in a powerful service immersion trip to the Dominican Republic with Mustard Seed Communities. This is more than just a trip, it’s a chance to live out my faith, serve those in need, and be part of something truly transformational.

Why This Trip Means So Much to Me:

In the heart of the Dominican Republic, Mustard Seed Communities stands as a sanctuary of compassion and hope for abandoned children and adults with disabilities. Since its expansion to the DR in 2001, Mustard Seed has provided loving homes like Hogar Immanuel in Puerto Plata and Hogar Niños de Dios near Santiago, where care goes beyond physical needs to focus on spiritual and emotional healing.

Their programs support individuals with a wide range of conditions including autism, cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, and hydrocephalus, giving them dignity, opportunity, and love. When I learned about their mission, I was deeply moved. I knew I had to be part of it.

A Calling to Serve:

I want to spend this week volunteering because service is how I live out my faith. My life and family have been forever transformed by God's love, and I believe Christ calls us to serve the most vulnerable with open hearts. Volunteering with Mustard Seed Communities allows me to do just that, to bring light, love, and presence into lives that are too often overlooked.

What I Hope to Gain

This journey will allow me to grow in ways I can’t even fully imagine yet. I hope to:

Deepen my relationship with God through service and humility, Grow in empathy, compassion, and patience, Gain hands-on experience that will shape me as a future teacher, Learn from the children, the caregivers, and my fellow volunteers.

Why I Need Your Help:

To make this mission possible, I need to raise $5,000, and every dollar will go directly toward covering the required expenses. Here's the breakdown of my costs:

Mustard Seed Fundraising Payments: $600 (Sept 12) + $600 (Nov 11), Mustard Seed Background Check: $18, Airfare: $1,000 (estimated round trip), Program Fee (lodging, food, in-country transportation): $2,000, Recreational Activities: $50, Personal Spending (meals/optional recreational): $120

I plan to pay for everything myself with no financial help from my parents, which is why I’m reaching out. I’m determined to make this possible through my own effort, faith, and community support, so if you’re able to help it would mean the world to me.

Whether you can give $5 or $500 every gift is a blessing. And if you can’t donate at this time, sharing this page or keeping me in your prayers means more than you know.

Thank You for Being Part of This:

This opportunity is rare and meaningful and being chosen as one of just 5 students fills me with deep gratitude. With your help, I can take this leap of faith and step into a week that I know will change my life and hopefully the lives of those I serve.

From the bottom of my heart,

Thank you.

Sophia