These federal workers lost their jobs. They’re starting over in Maine.
Portland Press Herald - Maine Sunday Telegram • • world
Key Points:
- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was dismantled in early 2025 by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, resulting in thousands of job losses, including many experienced international aid workers.
- Former USAID employees like Jordan Kimball and Kristin Shouba have relocated to Maine, where they are rebuilding their lives and careers in fields related to environmental protection and healthcare.
- Many ex-USAID workers face challenges in finding employment due to their specialized resumes, but nonprofit organizations and networking events in Maine are helping them transition to new roles.
- Former aid workers describe the closure as sudden and devastating, expressing feelings of loss and disorientation after decades of service in global development and humanitarian aid.
- Some individuals, such as Christy Owen and John Kuehnle, have successfully reinvented themselves in Maine by applying their skills to local conservation efforts and public health initiatives.
