Our beloved Jess Faulk has been going through an incredibly difficult stretch with ulcerative colitis. After a severe flare and several weeks away from work, Jess recently underwent major surgery to remove their colon and is now adjusting to life with an ileostomy.

While we're incredibly relieved to have Jess home and recovering, this is just the beginning of a long healing process. Their recovery may include two additional surgeries in the months ahead, along with plenty of rest, adjustment, appointments, and time away from work.

If you know Jess, you probably know two things about them: they are extraordinarily thoughtful and generous when it comes to showing up for other people, and they are strong, stubborn, and not particularly fond of asking for help themselves.

Jess is a ceramic artist and teacher at Radius Art Studio, and also runs a small flower farm from their home. Their work is creative, hands-on, and deeply important to them, and much of it depends on being physically present and active. Right now, recovery means stepping away from the work they love while their body heals.

So we're doing a little of the asking for them. This page is a way for the many people who love Jess to show up for them in some of the same ways they've shown up for us.

Jess has already been unable to work for several weeks, and we don't yet know how long their recovery will keep them away from work. With the possibility of additional surgeries in the months ahead, there may be more stretches of recovery and lost income to come.

Financial contributions will help give Jess and their family some breathing room as they navigate lost wages, everyday living expenses, medical and recovery-related costs, groceries, and all of the unexpected expenses that come with a major health crisis. Most importantly, we hope to give Jess the time and space to focus on healing.

If you're able to contribute, any amount will help. And if donating isn't possible, sharing this fundraiser with others who know and love Jess is another meaningful way to support them.

A whole community pitching in a little can add up to something really meaningful. Thank you for helping us take care of someone who spends so much of their life taking care of others.