Sometimes, one unexpected expense can threaten the stability someone has worked hard to build. A car repair can mean choosing between getting to work and paying rent. An unexpected bill can make it harder for a family to stay on track toward financial security.
At Hired, the Abundance Fund provides flexible financial support when unexpected expenses create barriers to employment and stability. Made possible through community donations and fundraising, the Abundance Fund allows Hired to respond to participants’ immediate needs when other program funding cannot cover them.
For Hired staff, supporting the Abundance Fund is a way to make a direct difference in the lives of jobseekers and their families.
When Flexible Support Makes a Difference
Angela experienced homelessness after losing her job due to the time she needed for medical appointments. Through Hired’s medical call center training program, she strengthened her job search skills and eventually connected with a flexible AmeriCorps opportunity.
When her car needed repairs, Angela faced a difficult choice: pay for the repairs she needed to get to work or pay her rent. After other assistance programs were not an option, the Abundance Fund provided enough support to cover her rent.
Today, Angela is still in her apartment and continues to have the transportation she needs to get to work. The fund helped her maintain housing while continuing to work toward greater stability.
Her experience shows how timely financial support can help participants navigate unexpected challenges without losing the progress they have made.
A Safety Net for Jobseekers and Families
In past years, Hired staff have been the primary fundraisers for the Abundance Fund. But last year, we saw an incredible wave of community support during Operation Metro Surge, when many jobseekers faced additional barriers and uncertainty. Some families were staying home for their safety, while others were struggling to navigate rising costs and financial pressures.
Throughout this time, the Abundance Fund provided critical support for participants and their families. Our top staff fundraisers share why this resource matters to them.
For Moon Walters, the fund provides an important safety net for the young people she works with:
“The Abundance Fund means the youth I work with have an extra safety net through Hired,” Moon explains. They see fundraising as an opportunity to connect the community to meaningful support for young people, adding that even a $5 gift can contribute to a resource that helps individuals build a sustainable future.
Rachel Grosskurth values the opportunity to directly contribute to a mission she cares about and share Hired’s work with her personal network.
“The Abundance Fund gives me the opportunity to be a direct contributor to a mission that means so much to me!” Rachel says. She appreciates that the fund allows Hired to respond to participants’ immediate needs, covering expenses that traditional program funding may not support.
For Jen Swalboski, the fund's flexibility is what makes it so impactful.
“The Abundance Fund, at its core, is based on trusting Hired staff and our participants,” Jen explains. The fund’s flexibility allows staff to request support for what participants truly need in the moment, helping them overcome unexpected challenges and continue working toward their goals.
You Can Make a Difference, Too
Moon, Rachel, and Jen demonstrate that fundraising doesn't have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sharing why the Abundance Fund matters with friends, family, and colleagues can inspire others to contribute to a resource that supports Hired participants and their
families.
Whether you make a personal donation or create a peer-to-peer fundraising page, you can help ensure that unexpected expenses don't become insurmountable barriers.
Every contribution helps Hired provide flexible financial support when participants need it most. Together, we can strengthen the safety net that allows people to keep working toward their goals, support their families, and build a more stable future.
Join us in making a difference.
Donate to the Abundance Fund or Create Your Own Fundraising Page