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Help me launch my business & help empower others

Soon after high school, I started working for a company where some of my friends worked. I needed a job and thought it would be cool to work with my friends. I took a couple years off to serve as a missionary for my church, and then went right back to working for the same company. I've been there my whole career.

It's been about 19 years that I've worked there. I did direct care for people experiencing disabilities for about 8 years, then got promoted to work in our office in the HR Department. It's a great company, and I love what the company does- helping people. I appreciate the lessons I've learned and the growth as a human being I've experienced while working there. But now, my time here is at an end, and it's time for me to move on.

At the beginning of last year I was diagnosed with a benign tumour in my jaw. Last summer I had the tumour removed, along with about 2/3 of my jaw. My wonderful surgical team took the fibula from my leg and tried to make a new jaw, but the graft failed. Because of complications, what was expected to be a 3 month recovery ended up being 7 months. During that time away from work, I exhausted my sick and vacation hours, all my savings, and even had to raid my retirement fund. I was broke.

My doctor gave me the option of staying out on disability because of some ongoing issues, or going back to work. I chose to go back to work because it was the "right thing to do". I was capable of working, and I didn't feel it would be right to not work if could. So, in February I went back to work.

Now, less than a year later, I regret that decision. Things have changed. My job duties are different, I'm working fewer hours and therefore bringing home less money. I'm still broke.

I don't begrudge my employer at all. I love the work we do helping people with disabilities, and I understand decisions need to be made for the good of the clients and the company. There's no hard feelings on my part, but it's time for me to move on.

Over the years, I've been passionate about being involved and educated. Inclusion has also been important to me. Most of all though, I have been passionate about empowering people and helping them live their best, happiest, freest lives.

There are many organizations out there dedicated to helping people, but so many of them focus on one just one group of people. There are many individuals and businesses out there that want you to have a better life and claim if you do things their way, you'll be rich and happy.

I believe in people. I believe in the individual. I believe in you. You know what your needs are, your hopes and your dreams. I founded the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project to empower you so you can build the life you want to achieve your hopes and dreams. For the last few years, the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project has been a passion project, but now it's time for me to take the leap, work at it full time, and turn it into a legitimate business.

The Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project (LLPHP) focuses on empowering you through:
Information and Education
Civic Engagement
Personal and Career Development
Safety and Preparedness

I've had a Facebook page up for the LLPHP for a few years. This last year I've expanded to a website, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

I am a certified First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor. One of the things I plan to do is teach First Aid/CPR/AED classes. I've taught for my employer for years, but need to get set up to teach on my own. That means registering as a separate training center and purchasing my own supplies. That's step one.

One of my areas of focus at work has been in Safety and Emergency Preparedness. The next thing I want to offer you is information, worksheets, potentially training, and maybe even books on household safety and emergency preparedness for individuals, families, and small businesses.

I also plan to begin a podcast, video content, and more. I want to offer you as many tools as possible, shared with you in as many ways as possible. I want to help you build and live your best, happiest life.

The funds you donate will help me build my business so that I can turn around and bring value and empowerment to you.

At the risk of sounding cliche please help me help you and others.

Organizer

Garrett Leeds
Organizer
Salem, OR

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