Cody is out of his box.

“Before GRuB I was in a box and had no friends and not much of a social life. Every time I would be around people, I would want to hide and get as far away from them as I possibly could. I would just be quiet no matter what and would never give out my ideas or have a small talk with people. I never have had any where to feel safe and listened to until GRuB.

Now that I have attended GRuB I feel that my box has opened. I have made friends and got a different outlook on life. I feel GRuB is a loving and supportive family. Every day I look forward to coming to GRuB because I feel it’s my new place that I can feel cared for and safe. I’m not made fun of at GRuB, and my ideas are not shot down so I can say what I want when I want.

This summer there were three things that helped me make a change. We would have a check-in twice a day, one when we get there and one when we left. Everybody would check in with everybody and make sure everything’s ok and check how the mood is for the day. I also can remember times that I would have personal check-ins with staff which would change my whole mood to pure happiness because I knew that they were listening and actually cared.

The last thing that made a difference is called straight talk. In straight talk we give and receive good feedback from each other. We would be told what we did well in the week and what we could work on for the next week. I feel that it was a very important thing which helped me with my problems.

If I would have not come to GRuB I would still be in box alone and scared. Now that I have attended GRuB I have made new friends. Now I say and do whatever I feel I want to because I’m no longer afraid. I threw my box in the trash and don’t plan to get it back. I love GRuB, and I love everybody at GRuB.”

From Cody and everyone at GRuB, thank you!