Natasha makes a future for herself, thanks to GRuB!

Natasha is 17 years old and has her GED education. She is currently enrolled at New Market Skills Center in their nursing program. In addition, Natasha started working at GRuB in June 2010. When she first started, she was really shy and didn’t talk to many people. However, the process at GRuB is that each day starts out with a check-in about how everyone is doing. A common question is ‘ if you could be any vegetable which one would you be?’ This exercise is followed by a game and the check-ins have really allowed Natasha to more powerfully start her day.

Overall, GRuB has really helped Natasha crack her shell by introducing her to the ‘Challenge by Choice’ initiative. Challenge by Choice is the option to participate in games and trust building activities or watch and support the people who choose to participate. Challenge by Choice makes Natasha want to try more things out, because she is given the choice to participate, and often the lessons she learns in the activities she is able to apply to real life outside of GRuB.

Here at GRuB people learn things they can apply to everyday life. People most importantly gain work experience; such as growing, harvesting, cooking, and selling fresh food. This is important because there are many low-income people working at GRuB and a lot of the people have dealt with food insecurity.

In addition to working in the field, people also work at a food bank to help sort food. This was fun for Natasha because its a real hands on activity in the community. Another way GRuB has impacted Natasha is by providing fun and rewarding stability.

Natasha believes GRuB would be beneficial to anyone, because of the way its impacted her life. She feels more engaged in school and is not as hesitant to ask questions. Because she is studying nursing, the things we learn here at GRuB about eating healthier foods and knowing how to communicate with peers and instructors really has paralleled well with her schooling.

Seeing as GRuB has been so impactful on Natasha, she greatly appreciates your donations that allow her to continue in the program. Thank you so much for supporting youth like Natasha!