Help Katie Stay Afloat After Unexpected Government Layoff

Hi everyone,

I’m seeking help after an unexpected federal layoff turned my world upside down.

In late October 2024, I applied for what I considered my dream job at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). By December, I had interviewed, and in January 2025, I officially started working in the Education and Community Involvement Branch of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at NIH, overseeing genomic data science and bioinformatics educational initiatives. I was deeply passionate about this role and the nationwide impact we were making in science education and outreach.

However, on February 14, 2025, just weeks after I started, I—along with 2,000 other probationary employees—was unexpectedly terminated. Because I had worked for the federal government for less than a year, I was classified as a probationary employee, meaning I had little job protection.

The Financial Reality

This job required me to relocate from Alabama to Maryland on very short notice. To make it happen, I maxed out my credit card ($10,756), drained my savings, and took out a $6,500 loan. Now, I am locked into two leases:

• $850/month for my apartment in Tuscaloosa, AL (until August 2025)

• $2,400/month for my apartment in Bethesda, MD (until February 2026)

I have also lost my health insurance. I take eight daily medications for chronic health conditions and require specialized care that I can’t afford without insurance. I will be applying for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, but the financial burden is overwhelming.

Why I Need Your Help

I am actively looking for work and will be at the unemployment office first thing Tuesday morning (Monday is a federal holiday). However, my eligibility for benefits is uncertain due to the short duration of my employment. If I can’t secure a well-paying job soon, I will be financially and medically devastated.

Your donations will help me cover:

✅ Rent and basic living expenses

✅ Medical care and prescriptions

✅ Job search expenses

If I reach the goal of $12,000, it will cover up to 2 months of rent, medical care, and essentials.

A Little About Me

I grew up in rural Alabama in a town of fewer than 2,000 people. My high school classes were held in FEMA trailers. I am a first-generation college graduate— my mother graduated high school, and my father withdrew himself in the tenth grade. My mom worked as a secretary, waitress, and house cleaner before becoming disabled, while my dad poured concrete. I am a homicide survivor.

When I got the job offer from NIH, I cried. Jobs like this don’t usually happen to people like me. It was the honor of my life to work with such passionate individuals dedicated to improving human health. Leaving NIH so soon was heartbreaking, but I am determined to rebuild.

How You Can Help

If you can donate, any amount helps. Please consider sharing my CV with potential employers or contact me with opportunities (email address listed on CV).

While I’d love to continue in science education and outreach, I am open to any opportunity that will allow me to stay afloat.

Thank you for your kindness, support, and for sharing my story.

Sincerely,

Katie Sandlin