Liberators in Action: Fired Federal Workers

When your job ends suddenly, so does your stability, purpose, and sense of identity. In Montgomery County, Maryland, and the greater D.C. area, thousands of federal workers and contractors have faced that brutal reality in recent months as layoffs, early retirements, and firings rippled through agencies like HHS, NIH, and USAID. According to Bethesda Magazine, more than 3,400 local jobs have been cut, and the notices keep coming.

But during the upheaval, neighbors, nonprofits, and even fellow laid-off workers are stepping up in remarkable ways. Groups like Wellfed, founded by three former HHS employees who were terminated on Valentine’s Day, are hosting wellness retreats, meditation sessions, and career workshops to help people regain their footing. The Potomac Massage Training Institute offers free massages and self-care circles to ease the physical toll of stress. Certified Financial Planners are providing pro bono or reduced-rate advice to help families chart a path forward.

Some efforts are as personal as they are practical. “Eds for Feds,” a volunteer team of editors, is rewriting lengthy federal résumés to open doors in the private sector. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has created an emergency fund to help families cover essentials like food and housing. Faith communities, neighbors, and strangers alike are delivering meals, running errands, and simply sitting with those in shock.

These acts fill gaps, restore hope, and remind federal workers that their years of service matter and that they’re not alone in starting over. The stories featured in this Bethesda Magazine article reveal something essential: when livelihoods are stripped away, what remains is the strength of community. And Montgomery County’s strength and support are proving to be a homegrown safety net for thousands of locals.