Written by Susan Edwards
March 2, 2020
My brother John Bean, lived inside a body with special needs. Our family gave him much love and support, but one of the things that he wanted the most as an adult was something we couldn’t find for him – a paying job. This was a community-wide challenge and frustrating to all of us who are touched by the life of someone with special needs.
The creation of GROW-HUB was the answer John had been reaching for. With his love of the outdoors, gardening, and landscaping, he brought the skills he possessed to work among this quiet, safe, relaxed, nurturing and natural environment. Growing eighty acres of sustainable plants would take a lot of work! He was given the opportunity to match his abilities and goals for future employment with the jobs he was assigned. Additional training was made available. He took great pleasure in using motorized lawn tools and repairing broken equipment and always looked forward to accomplishing whatever the work plan called for.
GROW-HUB is always evolving with fresh ideas, some of which come from the “Hubbers” themselves. John knew that he would always be treated with respect, whether as a volunteer or staff member of the team. This respect grew self-confidence which led to handling more responsibilities and the willingness to share the latest brainstorm. Hand in hand with that respect is the dignity that comes from earning real wages for the “sweat equity” put into a real job. There is no substitute. The opportunities that GROW-HUB gave my brother in that paycheck are many, not the least of which meant a sense of pride and independence. It meant that he could set and achieve financial goals for himself, expand his knowledge on budgeting, and even donate to a good cause.
I cannot say enough about the positive difference GROW-HUB makes in the lives of its volunteers and staff. It is unique and different in its approach to work. They consider the importance of the whole person, which is evident through the Arts in Medicine, yoga, and cooking classes as well as those classes offered by Santa Fe College for enrichment and certification. John thrived with these additional opportunities that were made available to him for the first time.
We are all a part of this community, and the “Hubbers” are some of its best ambassadors for change in how we view the abilities of those with special needs. GROW-HUB gave my brother a feeling of purpose among friends he enjoyed working with in a place where he saw the fruits of his labor growing within and all around him.
