If you would have asked this question last week, I would have said no, this has never happened to me. However, this past Monday on October 3rd, 2011 I was laid off from my job.

I worked for a non-profit organization. They were a great company to work for. They are a company that holds events and solicits donations for “Pro Life” groups to give girls other options beside abortions. I was an Accountant A/P as well as a Database Coordinator.

I started out as a temporary employee through a temp agency working for 5 months with them. Then in May, I was hired as a permanent full-time employee with benefits.

I wasn’t really surprised about the layoff. Economic times are difficult and they had already laid several other employees off during the past months. I just kept hoping that I could last a little longer, but that day 5 employees were laid off. Some out of our office some in offices in other states. They are getting down to a skeleton crew.

The hardest part about leaving was losing friends that I had made. They all were really wonderful and the atmosphere to work in was wonderful. We hugged and cried and I understood where they were coming from. A couple of days later I had to turn in some paperwork at the office and they were very welcoming and friendly. They even let me sit and work at the computer I normally worked on to fill out a few applications because I had some other places to go to on that side of town for appointments later in the day.

I wish them the best and hope that they can survive the economic crunch. I plan to stay in touch with some of them. The mission they have is an important one.

As I let my children know what had happened, my son Adam replied – Was thinking about you today.  How are things going?  Any luck on a new job?  Hang in there.  This could be a blessing in disguise.

I asked – How a blessing?

Adam’s reply - Better job, better pay, meet new people, learn new stuff.  Lots of things, it's happened to me many times.

I agreed with him. I do like to learn new things and I like change. So I will just continue to hang in there and fill out however many applications is necessary until I’m able to secure another job.

A couple Letters of Recommendation

My supervisors were very kind and gave me some good recommendations which I really appreciate. I have enclosed a couple of them. They buoy me up to want to do even better! So, I will just continue to search for a job to get me through these times until one-day my dream job will be possible.

October 4, 2011

Dear Sir or Madam:

Please allow me a moment to introduce Karen Mack, a highly valued member of the Heroic Media team since January of 2011. Karen initially arrived as a temporary employee assigned to the IT Department on a part-time (temporary) basis.

Within a very short period of time Karen had demonstrated a very high degree of professionalism, attention to detail, willingness to learn (and ability to retain what she had learned) to such an exemplary level that I commenced the process of hiring her full time and assigning her to work in both the IT Department as well as the Accounting Department. This hiring process included having to pay a fee to the temporary agency which employed Karen originally. She had proven her value and demonstrated repeatedly that she was worth the time, cost expenditure and investment that we made in her.

Karen officially became an employee of Heroic Media in May of this year. Karen’s team spirit, dedication to her work as well as her overall demeanor instantly made her a “member of the team” and tremendously helped as we migrated to a new IT platform (Raiser’s Edge & NetCommunity) as well as a new Accounting package (Financial Edge).

Karen worked in the previous accounting package (Quickbooks) and was instrumental in helping to migrate to Financial Edge. Her strength at multi-tasking as she took care of responsibilities in both the IT Department as well as the Accounting Department played an integral role in her success here at Heroic Media. In addition, Karen volunteered to assist in after-hours company functions and was a key member in supporting and ensuring the smooth execution of our Annual Company Gala held in September. In all manners and respects, she was a team player.

It was with sincere regret that we had to let Karen go due to the financial pressures of the economy and in no way should this reflect negatively on Karen. She was an exemplary member of our team and is always welcome to be a member of any team I lead. She will be sorely missed. I urge you to strongly consider her application for employment.

If you should have any further questions or requests for clarification I welcome your call at the number listed below.

Kindest regards,
J.V.
Director of IT

Dear Sir or Madam:

During 2011 I have had the pleasure of working alongside a wonderful and talented colleague, Karen Mack. I worked closely with Karen and can tell you that she is a delightful person and very focused on doing a great job. At Heroic Media, she came onboard during a time when we were experiencing turnover in the accounting area and she dove right in to get things back on track. She was very involved in a transition to a new accounting system, and she was able to identify opportunities to streamline our existing processes in her area.

I wholeheartedly recommend Karen as someone with great focus, a wonderful attitude and the skills needed to get the job done well. Her dedication to the task at hand will serve her well in all of her future endeavors.

Best Regards,
S.K.
Vice President of Operations

Heroic Media’s Mission

Heroic Media is a faith-based non-profit that reduces abortion by creating a Culture of Life through television, billboard and internet advertising which connects women in crisis with life-affirming pregnancy centers.