Help Robert Parker Survive the Post-Shutdown
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Please Help Robert Parker Find Temporary Housing in the Aftermath of the Government Shutdown
On December 22nd, 2018 a large portion of the federal government was shut down due to the absence of a signed appropriations bill for the upcoming year. Departments and agencies that support federal-level science—Agriculture, Commerce, EPA, Interior, NASA, NSF—are some of the hardest hit, with furlough rates as high as 97%. Over 800,000 federal employees are currently furloughed or forced to work without pay and an unknown number (potentially around 3 million) of contractors have no idea as to where their next paycheck is coming from. Sadly, there is no end in sight for a political compromise that would put these persons back to work.
I am one of an unknown number of individuals who are also victims of this crisis: those who were in the middle of the federal hiring process when the shutdown occurred. On December 14, 2018 I received an offer for a full-time, permanent position as a Fishery Biologist at a federal agency. On December 19th the agency's Human Resources Management office communicated to me that my background check was nearly completed and that I should be receiving a start date (EOD) by Christmas. I was also informed that if the agency was forced to shut down then the hiring process would be delayed. Two days later the agency was closed.
I have been fortunate to be eligible for unemployment benefits because I was laid off from my previous job and, in a tragic way, I'm thankful there are no family members who are depending on me; I've been single for seven years and my daughter passed away in 2011. However, my unemployment payments are just enough to meet daily survival needs but not sufficient to also afford rent. I had to move out of my apartment and have been staying with family, friends, and acquaintances, or in dingy hotels. I've contemplated living out of my pick-up truck or camping, but in the dead of winter with temperatures getting into the 20's that's not a good option. I've sold all of my furniture and valuable belongings, and have exhausted my savings. Even when I was working I was living paycheck to paycheck. My creditors will need to wait; I am seriously considering bankruptcy at this point, but I can't even afford the attorney's fees for that option.
While I'm waiting for the agency to be funded and the hiring process to start up again I am continuing to seek work. I apply for several jobs each week, but so far with no success. If you're able to help, I am trying to raise $1000 to cover rent for 1-2 months, most likely in a weekly motel. I need a stable place to live so I can continue with my job search in case the government shutdown doesn't end soon. I want to work. I want to devote my energy to public service and science. I could definitely use assistance at this point to achieve those goals.
If you're unable to donate, you can also help by offering me a temporary place to live, by offering help to another federal employee that you may know, or by considering a donation to any of the several non-profit organizations that have now set up crowdfunding to assist struggling federal employees. Please feel free to message me if you'd like to discuss any of those options.
Thank you!
On December 22nd, 2018 a large portion of the federal government was shut down due to the absence of a signed appropriations bill for the upcoming year. Departments and agencies that support federal-level science—Agriculture, Commerce, EPA, Interior, NASA, NSF—are some of the hardest hit, with furlough rates as high as 97%. Over 800,000 federal employees are currently furloughed or forced to work without pay and an unknown number (potentially around 3 million) of contractors have no idea as to where their next paycheck is coming from. Sadly, there is no end in sight for a political compromise that would put these persons back to work.
I am one of an unknown number of individuals who are also victims of this crisis: those who were in the middle of the federal hiring process when the shutdown occurred. On December 14, 2018 I received an offer for a full-time, permanent position as a Fishery Biologist at a federal agency. On December 19th the agency's Human Resources Management office communicated to me that my background check was nearly completed and that I should be receiving a start date (EOD) by Christmas. I was also informed that if the agency was forced to shut down then the hiring process would be delayed. Two days later the agency was closed.
I have been fortunate to be eligible for unemployment benefits because I was laid off from my previous job and, in a tragic way, I'm thankful there are no family members who are depending on me; I've been single for seven years and my daughter passed away in 2011. However, my unemployment payments are just enough to meet daily survival needs but not sufficient to also afford rent. I had to move out of my apartment and have been staying with family, friends, and acquaintances, or in dingy hotels. I've contemplated living out of my pick-up truck or camping, but in the dead of winter with temperatures getting into the 20's that's not a good option. I've sold all of my furniture and valuable belongings, and have exhausted my savings. Even when I was working I was living paycheck to paycheck. My creditors will need to wait; I am seriously considering bankruptcy at this point, but I can't even afford the attorney's fees for that option.
While I'm waiting for the agency to be funded and the hiring process to start up again I am continuing to seek work. I apply for several jobs each week, but so far with no success. If you're able to help, I am trying to raise $1000 to cover rent for 1-2 months, most likely in a weekly motel. I need a stable place to live so I can continue with my job search in case the government shutdown doesn't end soon. I want to work. I want to devote my energy to public service and science. I could definitely use assistance at this point to achieve those goals.
If you're unable to donate, you can also help by offering me a temporary place to live, by offering help to another federal employee that you may know, or by considering a donation to any of the several non-profit organizations that have now set up crowdfunding to assist struggling federal employees. Please feel free to message me if you'd like to discuss any of those options.
Thank you!
Organizer
Robert Parker
Organizer
Charlottesville, VA
