Tori Gruber

If the measure of a society is how it treats its elderly, then society would benefit from having more people like Tori in it. She has dedicated her career to the service of the Jewish elderly. As Manager of Adult Day Services at CJE SeniorLife, she has created a home away from home for seniors with dementia and memory care needs, cultivating a space where an often-neglected demographic feels a sense of community, love, support, and fun.

On the other end of the generational spectrum, Tori spent the last several years as a resident of Moishe House Wicker Park, an experience that she said shaped her Jewish experience and gave her community.

The Orlando native earned her bachelor's in psychology, master's in social work, and master's in public administration from Florida State University. In her spare time, Tori volunteers with Garbage Gals, a group that picks up trash in Wicker Park, and BUILD Chicago, a gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization.

"I feel whole," she said, "when I am giving back to others and spreading joy and kindness."

AGE:
27

PRONOUNS:
she/her/hers

PRIMARY GIG:
Manager of Adult Day Services at CJE SeniorLife

ON THE SIDE:
Amateur metalsmither, passionate furniture assembler, professional movie and TV enthusiast, and volunteer with Garbage Gals and BUILD Chicago

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 10 WORDS OR LESS:
Tenacious, organized, resourceful, imaginative, goofy, respectful, uplifting, blessed, eager, reliable

A JEW WHO INSPIRES YOU:
Seth and Laura Rogen. While being hilarious, authentic, and successful in their fields, they have utilized the prominence and success to develop an incredible organization called Hilarity for Charity, a national non-profit on a mission to care for families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE:
Don’t let a potential “no” stop you from asking the question! Apply for the job you don’t meet all of the qualifications for, ask for a better price for your Wi-Fi, see if you can get a better seat at a show, and see if a new acquaintance wants to grab a coffee. You never know what adventure is on the other side of an unasked question.

IF TIME AND MONEY WERE LIMITLESS, I WOULD:
I would love to work to find a cure for Alzheimer’s and related conditions. On the way to a cure, developing accessible and affordable person- and empathy-centered care for all those living with and affected by these conditions. If there was still some time and money left, I wouldn’t mind having a large piece of land where all the people I love could live together, have a goat farm, and live off the land kibbutz style.