Finding Hope After Devastation: How Two Former Federal Workers Built a Lifeline for Thousands

When the Ax Fell: A Sudden End to Public Service Careers

The shock waves from the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency initiative rippled through the lives of over 300,000 federal employees, leaving families scrambling and careers in ruins. Among those caught in the crossfire were Rebecca Ferguson-Ondrey and Drew Ruby-Howe, two dedicated public servants at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services whose lives changed dramatically one year ago. Their abrupt termination wasn’t just the loss of a paycheck—it represented the shattering of identities carefully built over years of service to their country. Ferguson-Ondrey remembers those initial days with painful clarity, describing how difficult it was to sit down with her children and explain that she had been fired. The tears flowed freely as she grappled with not only the practical concerns of lost income but also the emotional weight of suddenly being cut off from work that had given her life meaning and purpose. For both Ferguson-Ondrey and Ruby-Howe, this wasn’t simply unemployment; it was a profound loss that touched every aspect of their lives, from their professional identities to their sense of contributing to something larger than themselves.

Understanding the Unique Grief of Lost Public Service

What makes the loss of a federal job different from other employment terminations became clear through conversations between Ferguson-Ondrey and Ruby-Howe as they processed their shared experience. Both had experienced significant personal losses earlier in their lives—they had each lost their fathers at young ages—which gave them a framework for understanding grief. However, they quickly realized that losing their federal positions represented a distinct type of mourning that many people outside government service might struggle to comprehend. Ruby-Howe articulated this difference by highlighting the unique dedication that characterizes public service work. It’s not just about earning a living; it’s about mission, purpose, and identity woven together in a way that becomes inseparable from who you are as a person. Ferguson-Ondrey expanded on this concept, explaining that losing a federal job means simultaneously losing your career trajectory, your professional identity, and the sense of mission that drove you to public service in the first place. To have all these essential elements stripped away in one sudden moment creates a devastating impact that touches every corner of a person’s life. This recognition of the unique nature of their grief became the foundation for something transformative that would help thousands of others facing the same darkness.

From Personal Crisis to Community Solution: The Birth of WellFed

In the midst of their own struggles, Ferguson-Ondrey and Ruby-Howe made a decision that would change not only their own trajectories but also the lives of thousands of others navigating similar circumstances. Within just days of their terminations, they channeled their pain and understanding into action by launching WellFed, a support group specifically designed for fired federal workers. The name itself carries significance—it speaks to nourishment, both literal and metaphorical, for people suddenly cut off from their professional sustenance. What began as a modest gathering of about 20 former federal workers and contractors in a donated space, sharing pizza and prayers, quickly revealed a hunger for connection and support that neither founder had fully anticipated. The group struck a chord with displaced federal employees across the nation who were desperately seeking not just practical assistance but also emotional validation and community understanding. Within a remarkably short time, WellFed’s membership swelled to nearly 5,000 people across the country, all connected by their shared experience of sudden job loss and the unique grief that accompanies the end of public service careers. This rapid growth demonstrated just how widespread the need was for a supportive community that truly understood the multifaceted challenges these workers faced.

Building a Movement: How WellFed Supports the Displaced

WellFed evolved from a simple support group into a comprehensive resource network, operating largely through volunteer efforts from people who themselves were navigating unemployment and career transitions. The organization took a multi-pronged approach to supporting its members, recognizing that the challenges facing displaced federal workers extended far beyond simply finding new employment. On the advocacy front, WellFed representatives have made their way to Capitol Hill, ensuring that lawmakers understand the human cost of mass federal layoffs and advocating for policies that support displaced government workers. Perhaps even more impactful on a day-to-day basis, the organization has hosted more than 100 workshops, both in-person and virtual, covering a wide range of critical topics. These sessions help members navigate the practical challenges of sudden unemployment: managing finances when income disappears, rebuilding resumes for a job market that may not fully understand or value federal experience, and addressing the mental health impacts of job loss and identity crisis. The comprehensive nature of WellFed’s programming reflects the founders’ deep understanding that healing from this kind of loss requires attention to every dimension of a person’s life—financial, professional, and emotional. The results speak to the program’s effectiveness: approximately 25% of members have successfully found new employment, a significant achievement given the scale of the federal workforce reduction and the challenges many face in transitioning to private sector or other roles.

The Healing Power of Lifting Others Up

As Ferguson-Ondrey and Ruby-Howe reflect on the year since their terminations and the creation of WellFed, they’ve discovered something profound about the nature of healing from loss. Ferguson-Ondrey describes how the act of supporting others, of creating spaces for healing and connection, has become central to her own recovery from the grief of losing her federal position. There’s something deeply therapeutic about transforming personal pain into purposeful action that helps others navigate similar challenges. By creating WellFed, the founders gave themselves a new mission to replace the one that was taken from them, and in doing so, they found a path through their own darkness. Ruby-Howe emphasizes that this support remains critically important on a daily basis because for many members, each day brings new challenges as they work to find their footing in a world that feels fundamentally changed. Some members have quickly transitioned to new opportunities, while others continue to struggle with the practical and emotional dimensions of their displacement. The variety of experiences within the WellFed community means that those who have made progress can offer hope and concrete guidance to those still searching, creating a cycle of support that benefits everyone involved.

Looking Forward: A Commitment to Sustained Support

One year into this unexpected journey, Ferguson-Ondrey and Ruby-Howe stand firm in their commitment to continue supporting displaced federal workers for as long as the need exists. Ruby-Howe’s declaration that “we’re here, and we’re not going anywhere” reflects a recognition that recovering from this kind of loss isn’t a quick process—it takes time, support, and community. The founders understand that while some members will successfully transition to new careers and move on, others will need ongoing support, and new members may continue to arrive as they work through their own grief and transition processes. WellFed has become more than a support group; it’s a movement that honors the value of public service, validates the grief of those who lost not just jobs but callings, and creates pathways forward for people who dedicated their careers to serving their country. The organization stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community to heal even the deepest wounds. What began in tears and devastating conversations with children has transformed into a nationwide network of mutual support, advocacy, and hope. For Ferguson-Ondrey, Ruby-Howe, and the thousands of members they serve, WellFed represents the possibility of finding new purpose even in the midst of profound loss, and the strength that emerges when people who understand grief come together to help each other heal and move forward.