My dear friend, Stephanie Ashkenaz, recently endured an unjust termination from her position as Manager at Bargains & Blessings, a thrift store under the umbrella of New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages. After 2½ years of dedicated service—overseeing four buildings (intake, main, annex, and boutique), managing 150–200 volunteers and staff, and helping the store generate more than $1.5 million in annual revenue—she was abruptly escorted out of the store in broad daylight. The humiliation she suffered was deep, especially considering her unwavering commitment.

Stephanie’s “offense” was leaving 30 minutes early on two occasions. Yet both times she departed to run errands directly for the store, arriving at 6:00 a.m. and working until well past 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and even spending her Sundays at Walmart purchasing supplies. In January, Stephanie confided in me that she loved her job and trusted her employer’s fairness. At that time, her supervisor had begun delegating assistant-manager training to a 26-year-old colleague—an unmistakable sign, as it turned out, of Stephanie’s impending replacement.

On May 1, Stephanie was dismissed—ostensibly for leaving early—only to have the younger assistant manager step into her role immediately thereafter. Because the store is affiliated with a church, Stephanie’s unemployment claim was denied, leaving her without compensation at the age of nearly 77. The stress of potential financial insecurity and homelessness is heartbreaking for someone who has worked harder and more capably than anyone I know.

Her story highlights age discrimination and the vulnerability of dedicated workers within nonprofit and faith-based organizations.

Warm regards,

Angela Gardella

Sent from my iPad

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