Team Members

Our Team Members come to us through local high school Transition Programs or similar types of work programs, as well as independently. Most team members have job coaches such as teachers, peers or parents/family members. As school program students graduate, some remain at We Grow Dreams and have even gone on to become staff at the greenhouse. Many others move on to other jobs within our communities.

Cole Bransford

Cole is recently back with us after a year at home due to Covid 19. Cole comes to us independently with an aide, but was formerly introduced to us through Soaring Eagle Academy in Glen Ellyn. It’s so nice to have him back with us.

Brian Doppelt

Brian has been coming to WGD for over 10 years with his mom, Barb. He is generally in charge of making sure we have enough boxes built for our customers, but likes to work off-site sales in the spring and fall. We can depend on Brian and Barb to be willing to do anything that needs to be done.

Eric Hum

One of the early team members, Eric has been coming to the greenhouse for 15 years! He is our resident specialist in concrete mixing, pot making and paper crafts! You might even find him working the register on some days.

Andrew MacLennan

Andrew has been with We Grow for many years and is our ‘clean and scrub’ guy. His favorite name for everyone is “Trouble” and has an infectious laugh. Ask him about hockey — he loves the sport!

Billy Yoakam

Billy has been here from the start when he was just a teenager! His big smiles and generous hugs are always welcome. Billy has grown so much in his abilities since he first starting coming with his mom, they are some of our most active families helping out at off site sales helping to spread the word about our mission.

Ryan Zima

Ryan has been coming to We Grow Dreams since 2017, working extra hours seasonally as part of our “A Team” who put in extra effort to meet our production needs in the Spring and Fall. We regularly get visited by Ryan’s whole family, including his Grandpa who occassionally brings the crew treats and makes sure Ryan is working hard!

Alex Flodstrom

If given the opportunity, Alex would be at work all day, every day! Most of the time, he is the first person to arrive to work and the last to punch out for the day. An ever-eager part of our “A Team,” Alex is always looking forward to the next busy season when there is plenty of work to be done, and there are lots of deliveries to assist with!

Laz Cuatzo

Laz first started attending We Grow Dreams with West Chicago’s transition program, and he has never left us. We are so grateful for his work ethic and ability to keep our “A Team” working together, usually cracking jokes the whole time. Laz also maintains another job at a local movie theatre, sometimes working late nights before our morning shifts here!