Laid off

Hey there,

This is definitely not a post I wanted to write- now or in the future.

As of December 12th, HomeShare has officially suspended all operations due to a funding shortfall. So– in other words everyone has been laid off. The hope is to discuss with the city of Portland and return by the middle to end of January, after funding has been secured. We hope it is the case.

If it isn’t, this isn’t exactly the best time of year (or the best economy) to be looking for work. I read a study that says you have a larger chance of getting into Harvard than getting a job interview. Not an actual job, no – just an interview.

We will be fine. If there is one thing we know, it’s that God has got us. In one way or another, He will provide. It helps keep us grounded and keeps us from panicking too much. If this lasts for too long, we will need to make certain decisions—but until that time, we will continue.

HomeShare was the best job I’ve had in my life. It didn’t feel like a job to me. I honestly loved it, both the work and the people I worked with. I also loved the impact our work was having. Homelessness prevention – an area that most funding from cities and governments is not focused on. It was fantastic work, which was such a dramatic change from the toxic environment I had in my prior jobs, where my purpose was questioned.

It is something to wake up and know that the job you love and everything that comes with it wasn’t taken away for any reason other than program funding. I had already reduced our operating costs across all areas by nearly half, but it wasn’t enough, in part to the funding cuts the Trump Administration has made towards nonprofits. It has made the field that was already competitive for grants and sources of funding, to cutthroat. What do we need? Donors keep us going. Not going to lie – I feel like I’m dealing with a loss of my own as well.

As we end the year, we already have plans to visit Universal one last time, on our last day of our Annual Pass (it expires January 2nd), and every other day was previously blacked out until then. We will keep those plans, but instead shift and pay for everything fully with our credit card points.

Christmas is right around the corner. I did NOT see this coming, but neither did our executive director. This one hurts – bad.

Here is to the hope we cling to in the new year.

end Quote :{[“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23]}

just Pray.