Joe was tested and is grateful for this

Thank you for supporting GRuB in its efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged youths. Joe, a 17 year old member of GRuB, is deeply thankful for your contributions. Your altruism, Ojus and Joseph, bettered his life as you can read in his story below.

Hello, my name is Joe. I am 17 and a senior in high school as well as a proud  member of the GRuB family. I started GRuB over the summer as a way to earn school credit, so that I could graduate this year. However, what I gained from GRuB was much greater than just school credit. It gave me a sense of being able to help my community and a true family.

One of the many great moments at GRuB was when the staff let the youth lead the farm by themselves for a week. This really tested our crew — boundaries were crossed and we began to sense that the trust we had built up all summer was slowly diminishing. This was the first and only time I felt unsure of my want to be at the farm. After the week was up and our tensions hit their peak we had a debrief. Gradually, everyone began to spill their heart out, letting the group know what was up for them. There was a sense of vulnerability because we all had shared this experience together. This moment opened a door and allowed us to come together — closer than ever before.

This opened my eyes because so much of the time at the GRuB farm we are all cheerful and excited to be here. Sometimes it takes a little tension to help build a crew and allow them to come together. A true test of a crew is not how well we can work together in good spirits but how we are able to come together in bad. GRuB School works for me because I share moments with grubbers I wouldn’t share during traditional school. I feel supported by not only the staff but the students too. I wish that everyone had a chance to feel the passion i do about going to school and about helping my community.

GRuB has inspired me to better myself not only on an educational level, but on a personal level. The next step for me is to not just continue to grab my gloves and shovel but bring my words and hopes to inspire others to see the beauty in this foundation I have grown to love.

Thank you, Ojus and Joseph, for supporting GRuB and helping them inspire Joe and others like him!