Project Impact was born out of my reflection on two powerful concepts: NPR’s StoryCorps, where individuals share personal stories about their lives, and the emotional impact statements often heard in criminal trials. Both of these formats capture raw, honest accounts of personal experience and the profound long term effects certain events can have on people’s lives. Inspired by these, I envisioned a platform where terminated government employees could share their stories, focusing on the impact your recent firing has had on them personally, professionally, and on the agency itself. The goal is to build connections, empathy, and understanding, while providing a space for these voices to be heard and their experiences to be preserved.
The goal of Project Impact is to honor and preserve the stories of our government employees, particularly those who were recently terminated, and to explore how these terminations have impacted their lives with long-term consequences and the agencies they devoted their careers to. Through video and/or audio compilations, I aim to capture personal accounts from these individuals, allowing them to reflect on their experiences and the lasting effects of their departures. This project centers around oral storytelling, a tradition that has long been integral to our Fish and Wildlife Service, our National Parks, our Veteran Administration, etc. ensuring your voices are heard and your stories are preserved for future generations.
These personal narratives are not only a reflection of the individuals’ profound work, but they also serve as a broader preservation of the values and impacts our government employees have had on our environment, society, and history. In an age when the news cycle moves rapidly, many of these stories and the contributions of you are at risk of being lost or forgotten far too quickly. Project Impact seeks to capture and share your voices, ensuring that your legacies are preserved for future generations.