Client Story: James

¨I could see the writing on the wall. I think I first became aware of how serious things were about five years ago. The pandemic gave me a taste of how messed-up things could get when people were fearful and divided, so I started really worrying about what it would look like if we ran out of water or oil instead of toilet paper. 

 

Then, of course, with the election came a lot more worries. The grants I was writing were focused on climate-related projects, and as funding for programs got slashed right and left, I fell into a deep funk. And for good reason: I was laid off within a few weeks. 

 

As everything related to climate work got sacked or de-funded, I was watching my prospects disappear before I could even send out a resume. It was clear I had to figure out an alternative.

 

I had been thinking of moving anyway to be closer to my parents. My dad has been battling cancer, and it´s been a rough couple of years. So I did the proverbial return to my parent´s basement. But it helped me save money instead of blow through my savings while waiting for things to get better. And it has been really great to be home to help my mom by taking shifts driving my dad to his appointments. I feel so much closer to him after spending so many hours by his side during his treatments.

 

So, that´s where I started. 

Here´s where I am now: 

 

I met up with some friends from high school, including a guy who is building tiny homes and a woman who has been teaching courses about planting food forests (yes, I hung out with the climate kids back then, too.) 

 

I immediately wanted in. Long story short, I am now using my grant-writing skills to help local projects get funding through and county grants! 

 

Even better, I got appointed (part-time, but still) as the official coordinator for those who apply for funding for local projects. Honestly, it has been amazing to work with people who have good ideas, lots of energy, and a real love for the more-than-human world. 

 

Maya was absolutely instrumental in helping me see what I was longing for, and then take steps to actually make it happen. From reaching out to my high school friends to connecting with the local city and county offices, Maya was there to spark things simply by asking me questions that made me excited to take that next step. 

 

I highly recommend her, especially if you are in doubt about how to live in alignment with your ideals when most of the traditional options to do that are being cut or de-funded.