I've been displaced for almost 2 years from my previous “career” industry after I reported 2 organizations for abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. I don't regret doing this, for at least the fact that I know I was the ONLY person who would take a stand, and had zero support to make any improvements on the conditions. In fact, I was often ridiculed or yelled at for trying to make positive changes and genuinely care for our clients, who have faced addiction, homelessness, family abuse etc.
So you might wonder, what happens to a displaced whistleblower? Well so far I've been bounced around between different temp office jobs, because that's the closest quick-and-simple work to get without having to do a monkey dance for these “career” companies/orgs and almost kill myself to get a job, despite having a pretty advanced resume for my age & field.
The good news is I'm doing well and surviving, and I have a mission. That mission is important, but this work situation is destroying it. My health has gone downhill thanks to the damage done to my life. I can barely survive 35 hours/week and it's preventing me from rebuilding my health; my mission and the rest of life is utterly neglected and I'm left 10-20% worse off at the end of every 3-6 month contract position. I'm actually making only about half as much money per year because of this: work full time 3-6 months, barely recover for 2-3 months, repeat.
At this point I'm boycotting full time work. I will take a part time job at a grocery store. I'm temporarily stuck on the edge of a suburb without a car, but I will accept this temporary fate in exchange for my autonomy. While at work I will focus entirely on being a good, supportive person with the people right in front of me for MY sake and THEIR sake, and stay under the radar. I can use a little bit of the money from this to invest in some side hustles online, that will allow me to actually become totally independent and escape the hamster wheel. I also have a few close friends I really care about and I'm helping them establish self-employment as well.
I don't have anything particularly unique or innovative to offer, just that I'm prioritizing my community and all of us becoming economically self-determined, freed of the hamster wheel. My closest friend in the same industry as me has also witnessed severe abuse of minors, and I'm helping her escape too. We're in alternative education, youth mentorship and homeless outreach. And I'm telling you, the industry is at a breaking point. If people like me and my friend can escape and survive, we will be the ones to start better organizations and give others the tools to do so as well. I'm NEVER EVER giving up this mission and I will let NOTHING stand in the way.
Until then, please research your local nonprofits and be skeptical. Don't assume any feel-good message is evidence of trustworthiness. Make them earn your donations, your time, and your trust. Find something beautiful you can do in this world, something that gives you a vision and makes you come alive. And never let a job destroy your mission. Never let a job stop you from giving your gifts to the world.