Ellen and Jake’s experience is a perfect example of how our loans can have a profound impact on a family facing unforeseen challenges. The couple is raising three children — one in middle school, one in high school, and one in college. Ellen is an educator in the public school system, and Jake has devoted his time, energy, and skills to Bay Area startups for over 20 years, working in tech and AI.
They came to us a year into the pandemic, after the multinational company Jake worked for abruptly closed its Silicon Valley division. He went from a high-level position in international business development (what he thought of as his “forever job”) to unemployment. Our Recently Unemployed loan helped their family of five weather a string of difficult months when they depended on unemployment benefits to get by and wound up depleting their savings.
“What made the loan experience so meaningful was how safe and caring it felt to receive support from our own community. It provided real comfort and belonging, and reminded us what it means to be cared for without shame or blame.”
It wasn’t easy for Jake to find a new job at his previous level. Feeling like his career had melted and he had lost everything, he had no choice but to pivot. Jake had been putting together deals around AI technology for years. Our loan gave him the chance to retrain to become an engineer again, learning the nuts and bolts of the current technology.
Jake is now working as an AI solutions architect, loving his job and feeling grateful to have been able to make this kind of transition so late in his career. The family just celebrated their youngest child’s bat mitzvah, and they feel like they’ve once again landed on solid ground. The assistance Ellen and Jake received from Hebrew Free Loan gave them that bit of help they need to get through a tough period. They’re proud to be repaying what they borrowed so the funds can be recycled to help others going through their own times of difficulty.
