Showing up for MAFistas

When systems and bureaucracies fail us, it is up to members of our community to support each other. In the absence of MAF’s support for the five impacted staff members, we are raising funds that will be redistributed to help minimize the financial burden imposed, as our former colleagues navigate sudden unemployment in a difficult economic environment.

On January 27th, 2023, Mission Asset Fund (MAF) abruptly severed the employment of five staff members, effective immediately and with no notice or time to transition their work to remaining employees. Four of the five laid-off individuals were offered 2 weeks of pay as severance. Four of the five also had their benefits terminated three days later on January 30th. The CEO has assured staff that MAF is in a strong financial position and has all the funds needed to cover MAF’s 2023 budget. And yet, little support has been given to those affected by this decision for abrupt termination.

As MAF is an organization that specifically aims to help low-income and immigrant families become visible, active, and successful in their financial lives, we are disappointed in the treatment of staff who were laid off with such little financial support and no time for transition. It is concerning how MAF has thrown these individuals into unemployment and cut off their health insurance, with little care for the toll it would take on their lives. This is particularly troubling given all five former employees are Latinx immigrants, some also queer and undocumented.

At MAF, we talk a lot about showing up, doing more, and doing better for the people we serve. This is a statement we are committed to seeing through. Today, we’re showing up for our fellow MAFistas and invite you to join us.