Selena Rodocker first came to GRuB in 2007 as a youth program participant; and through the school season and following summer, supporting fundraising, building the Rochester Community Garden, and even helping plaster the walls of the GRuB Farmhouse!
In 2017, she returned to join our staff team in administrative roles, supporting volunteers and garden builds, and most recently with our youth programs. In 2025, Selena was the lead staff for our career pathways project, providing 28 young adults with career support, work experiences around the region, job placements, and applications to further education. We admire her attention to details, her persistence, and, above all, her passion for supporting youth in finding their purpose. Selena has indeed created abundance for others to thrive!
Selena writes:
I came to GRuB at a pivotal moment in its history. I was part of the last youth crew to work in Bonnie Turner’s home and the first crew to work in the farmhouse that GRuB calls home today. GRuB was my very first job and it became an experience that shaped me in ways I could not have imagined at the time.
At that time, the organization which was much smaller than it is today and I had the unique opportunity to build and shape some of the spaces that participants and staff use every day. The mentors at GRuB trusted young people with meaningful work. That trust taught me confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and the value of contributing to something bigger than myself.
My experience in Bonnie's house was one of community, hard work, creativity, and growth. It was where I learned practical skills, discovered my own strength and found a sense of belonging during an important time in my life. These first two photos are of the two youth crew I was part of. After my first summer, I stayed on as an assistant during the school year.
.png)
.png)
These next two photos show some of the ways our crew helped build the farmhouse with some projects, not pictured. We moved in the kitchen cabinets that are still being used today. I spent time oiling the upstairs beams, painting, the hallway leading to the back door, painting the blue room, and plastering the walls.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
The remaining photos show our crew settling into the new farmhouse during programming
Looking back, it's incredible to see how much GRuB has grown. The projects we worked on weren't just tried but tested complete. They were opportunities to leave our mark on a place that would serve future generations of youth. Every time I walk through the farmhouse or see the herb garden, I'm reminded that we weren't just learning here - we were helping build something that would last.
One of the greatest gifts GRuB has given me is that my connection to this place didn't end with my own participation. I've had the joy of watching each of my children build their own relationship with GRuB. My oldest came to work with me when he was little, later volunteered, participated in programs and attended 10 Gather, Grow camps. My middle son attended families on the farm days and my youngest spent time coming to meetings with me and playing in the circle space. Watching each of my children create their own memories here has made my connection to GRuB even more meaningful.
GRuB will always hold a special place in my heart because it was one of the first places that showed me what was possible when people invest in young people and work together to build something lasting. I feel incredibly grateful to have been part of this chapter of GRuB's history and honored that a small piece of my work - and now my family story - continues to live on there. Knowing that something we built together is still helping young people learn and grow and find a sense of belonging is a gift I will always carry with me.
-- Selena Rodocker
.png)
