Hello! Most of you will probably already know me and my story, but in case you’re new, I’ll fill you in. My adult life started out pretty rough. I struggled with childhood trauma and active addiction, but with help from those who supported me, I found recovery. I worked as a cashier for many years, but after meeting my husband, Andy, I decided to do something huge: I enrolled in a university bachelor's program to hopefully work toward a more meaningful career. Fast forward, I ended up finishing my bachelor's program and immediately started a master's program. I graduated both programs with a 3.99 GPA and a 4.0 GPA respectively. I found a great job. They seemed to like me. I was working with children and adolescents like I wanted to. Everything was perfect. Until I made a huge mistake.

Someone I worked with took a screenshot of a private Facebook post that was about a politically charged situation. I thought I had read the post, and I thought I had only shared it with a specific group of people, but it turned out I shared it with all my Facebook friends. I took it down within hours of posting it, but it was too late: my employer forced my resignation. They never gave me a chance to explain anything, and they didn’t care that it was all a mistake. It shattered my heart.

Since then, I’ve put out hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes and applications. I found a job as a community support associate, but the client I originally worked with had something happen with her insurance, so I haven’t been working. I decided to work towards a different certification, and after I finished it, I thought I’d be working, but they didn’t have any clients for me. Now I’m working towards a third certification as a Registered Behavioral Technician working with children who have autism. They’ve promised that I would have work as soon as I got certified, but that’s going to take weeks. In the meantime, I’ve applied to be a Walmart delivery driver, and I’m hoping we can make ends meet with that income, but again, these things take time and the bills just keep piling up.

I never expected to be in this position after working so incredibly hard for the last 6 years. I thought I had done everything right. I never thought a little mistake would turn our whole lives upside down. I’m far from perfect, but I don’t believe I deserved what happened.

For now, Andy’s working 7 days a week and pulling as much overtime as his job will allow, and I’m working on finding literally anyone who will hire me. When I say I have applied to everyone, I mean everyone, even the Dollar stores down the street.

I’m so sorry to keep asking for help. I’m sorry I failed. I will never be able to properly express my immense gratitude.

Thank you.