To the Asmbly community - members, leaders, volunteers, and friends,
This is a longer post than I usually write, but it’s one I’ve been sitting with for a long time and felt important to share some details.
After much reflection, I’ve made the difficult but necessary decision to step down from my volunteer role as Director of Outreach at Asmbly. This decision comes from a place of care - for myself, for my health, and ultimately for the community I deeply value.
For quite some time now, I’ve been dealing with ongoing health issues. For a long while, I was able to manage and, in many ways, mask the impact they were having on me. I found ways to push through, adapt, and show up in ways that felt meaningful and aligned with my goals and responsibilities at Asmbly. Being able to contribute in so many ways - from connecting people and building lasting relationships and partnerships, to producing impactful events for our members and the public, as well as supporting grant work, fundraising, and other key initiatives - has meant a great deal to me, and it’s something I’ve been very proud of.
However, as time has gone on, it’s become increasingly clear that I need to take a step back and give myself the time and space to focus on my health more fully. Continuing in this role while doing that is no longer sustainable for me, and I believe it’s important to be honest about that - for my own well-being and for the health of the organization and Asmbly’s future as we continue to grow and develop in so many wonderful and fast-paced ways. As I step away, my responsibilities will transition to trusted hands across the organization. Our Director of Education, Adam Stow, will be taking on events and partnerships. I feel very confident in this transition. Adam has already been working closely with Outreach, has been an invaluable collaborator, and there is a great deal of natural overlap between our work. Development-related initiatives, including fundraising, grant work, and related efforts, will be overseen by a Board directed Development Committee, who will be guiding these priorities moving forward.
I want to be clear that this personal decision to step back is not a reflection of my feelings toward Asmbly Makerspace. Quite the opposite.
Asmbly has been an incredibly meaningful part of my life. When I first found this space, it offered me something I truly needed at the time: comfort through creativity, connection through community, and a sense of belonging that can be hard to find. After stepping into the space, I felt this overwhelming sense that I had found something I had been longing for for as long as I could remember (this is the little girl who felt unstoppable with a hot glue gun, duct tape, spray paint, a pile of rocks, and imagination). Over the years, that foundation and my passion for this space and for making sure everyone possible could know about and have access to this space grew into deeper involvement, collaboration, and the privilege of serving in a volunteer leadership role - first as Outreach Coordinator, then as Director of Outreach. I’ve learned so much from the people here, and I’m endlessly grateful for the trust, kindness, and support I’ve been shown.
While I’m stepping down from this volunteer position, I want to be very clear about something: this is not a goodbye.
I fully intend to remain a part of the Asmbly community as a maker and will continue serving on the board to help guide Asmbly towards its long term goals. I’m excited to continue spending time in the space, to keep building relationships with the wonderful people I’ve worked alongside, and to reconnect more deeply with my own creative projects. In many ways, I’m returning to Asmbly as what it originally was for me - a place where creativity, community, and endless opportunities coexist, and offer support, comfort, and even healing in ways I find extremely hard to find elsewhere.
I’m deeply thankful to everyone who has collaborated with me, supported me, and shared their time, ideas, and energy. It has truly been an honor to contribute to this community in the ways I have, and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together, and look forward to watching Asmbly Outreach continue to grow and thrive in fresher, yet deeply experienced hands.
Thank you for your understanding, your compassion, and for continuing to make Asmbly the special place that it is. I look forward to seeing you around the space - just with a little more focus on taking care of myself and creating for the joy of it.
With gratitude and care,
Jordan Varat
