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During the pandemic, one of the first casualties was work. Whether it’s furloughs, layoffs, walking a parenting balance beam or dealing with customers who refuse to wear masks, we’re all in a different world than we were a few months ago.

Our podcast, Hard Reset, wants to hear about what work has been like for you. Reply to this email or call me at 405-990-0988 to get in touch.

ICYMI: Big If True in 2020

This year has been turbulent for so many of us. For Big If True, it’s also been a time for reflection and change.

There have been some victories, like receiving our first grant. But the pandemic prompted us to adjust what we’re doing to better serve you, our readers and listeners.

Here’s what’s new:

• Our podcast, Hard Reset, joined the airwaves of KXRW 99.9 FM in Vancouver, Washington. The show runs on Apple Podcasts and KXRW on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. (Find a list of the episodes we’ve done here.)
• We stopped factchecking, a decision I explained here. As the pandemic began, we shifted to in-depth reporting that has frankly been more fulfilling for me as a journalist during this time. We’ve heard from y’all that these stories are more useful and more needed than factchecking. (Reply to this email or give me a call if you’d like to share your own feedback.)
• I’m sure you know that Big If True is a small operation. Since our resources are limited, we’ll focus our reporting on one area at a time. For the rest of the year, we’re concentrating on how low-income Americans have been impacted by the coronavirus.

Here are some highlights from our work during the last few months:

• I wrote a two-part series about something that feels invisible – the need for legal aid, which gives free representation and other resources to low-income people who can’t afford to hire attorneys. As demand for these programs has gone up during the pandemic, their funding has gone down.
• Following a record-breaking number of unemployment filings, industry observers forecasted the debt collection market will grow, along with predatory practices and scams.
• As part of a project with The Curbside Chronicle and Oklahoma Gazette, I wrote about Oklahoma’s threadbare affordable housing system, where state and local housing agencies have waitlists that number in the thousands for rental assistance.

We can’t keep reporting stories like these without your help. If you find value in what we’re doing, please consider supporting our journalism with a tax-deductible donation that works for your budget.

Thank you for reading Hard Reset. We always want to hear from you. Send me feedback, questions and tips: bryant@bigiftrue.org and 405-990-0988.
 
– Mollie Bryant