Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Asheville’s Colburn Earth Science Museum has cut the job of one of Felicity Green, who manned the front office, helped organized Gemfest and did some publicity and marketing for the nonprofit.
Green, a well-known local blogger at The Hangover Journals, has written about losing her job. She’s also a friend of mine I’ve gotten to know through the local photography scene. Here’s Felicity:
Remember how on Monday I said that there were big changes afoot and all that good stuff? Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, yes, thank you, David. Well, they’re more or less here: as of this coming Wednesday, I am joining the ranks of the great American unemployed. Hello recession blues! Hello, unemployment office! Hello, dusty black and white Dorothea Lange style photographs, men in fedoras and kids in dresses made from flour sacks! Yep, the recession was a little late in reaching Asheville (just like fashion) but it seems to be here and due to budget crises and crunches, my job has been eliminated. The museum has been really nice about it, though, and I still like the place and the people and the rocks and all that good stuff. It is, as they say, just one of those things. Who they are that say something so simultaneously banal and evil, I don’t know, but there it is: just one of those things.
It’s okay, though. I am somehow not entirely depressed about this but instead am seeing it as an opportunity. No, seriously. There are a whole lot of things that I want to accomplish in the next few years and I’m hoping that maybe this is the kick in the pants that I have been needing in order to get me to actually do those things. I’ve been here almost four years and they’ve been good years, but, well, all things come to an end.
Felicity is asking folks to click on her blog, where she has a little advertising, and additional clicks will help her bring in a few extra Google pennies. She’s also looking for a job, if anybody knows of anything available.
I’m sorry to hear about the tough times for Felicity and for the Colburn, whose executive director is a former colleague of mine (Kathleen Davis).
What else is happening on the local nonprofit scene? How is the recession affecting nonprofits? How are nonprofits adapting?
Felicity, thank you for everything.
And Jason, thank you for your support of the Colburn.
Firelady is right — the nonprofit sector plays a particularly important role in the economies of Asheville, Buncombe County and much of Western North Carolina, playing the dual roles of key service providers and employers. Years ago, I remember hearing there were 850 nonprofits in Buncombe County alone; I have no idea how many there are now.
We’re blessed to live in a very philanthropic, charity-minded community. People here understand the value of our local nonprofits and give generously of their money and time. The recession has hit everyone hard, but the Colburn and other nonprofits will get through it, thanks to the generous spirit of our community.
Thanks for the kind words, Jason! I appreciate it – it’s tough to leave and I really do want to stress that the Colburn is a truly wonderful place. I think it’s gonna be okay, though – I’m looking forward to trying out some new things.
Felicity
That is probably very upsetting to the young woman. But her attitude of making this an opportunity will see one through the toughest of times.
Here’s my favorite hardtimes quote:
<i>"The most glorious moments in your life are not the so-called days of success, but rather those days when out of dejection and despair you feel rise in you a challenge to life, and the promise of future accomplishments."</i>
Gustave Flaubert
You’ve asked good questions about our regional non-profits. From what I’ve seen, non-profits have been hit very hard. In some cases, a "Mad Max, post-apocalyptic" dynamic is taking place. Many are trying to protect revenue streams, increasing workloads as staff are let go. This is an important sector to our economy, providing crucial services in the face of increased demand. The third sector is the safety net for many, many people.
Explore this more, Jason. NPO’s are very diverse. It would be interesting to know which ones are adapting, which are not.