In the Making: Healing and Hand Tools with Jonathan Ota CF ’19

After joining the U.S. Marines in 2001 and completing three tours in Iraq, retired Cpl. Jonathan Ota of Charlie Company 1st Battalion 5th Marines, returned home with severe PTSD. During a therapy session on creativity-as-healing at his local Veterans Center, he was introduced to North Bennet Street School, and there found a path to a healing and fulfilling career working with his hands.

He graduated from the Cabinet & Furniture Making program in 2019, and now runs his own custom woodworking business, Gunner Grey. He is also a guest Instructor in the NBSS Carpentry program—plus committing much of his time to support other veteran-owned businesses.

Join us in conversation with Jonathan Ota CF ’19 about his journey from combat veteran to using his hands in healing, and creating a thriving woodworking career.

Live streamed from Jon’s shop in Leominster, MA
Virtual, free, and open to all

This conversation is part of In the Making, a public programs series where we connect with a range of new voices, fields, and perspectives. Learn more and view a full list of participants at the series homepage here.