Heading into my third week of the Columbus Foundation Fellowship, I expected to primarily be working on Hope Hollow’s website. However, life, especially with technology, is full of setbacks. 

For those who are unfamiliar with Hope Hollow, it is primarily run by a retired couple, Kevin and Jane. The two run the day-to-day operations and provide emotional support, to cancer patients and their loved ones, from their home utilizing one laptop. Early this week, the laptop, which is the lifeline of Hope Hollow’s operation, crashed. Immediately, Kevin, Jane, myself, and numerous others began exploring options to ensure Hope Hollow’s ability to provide crucial services to cancer patients and their loved ones. 

Our focus, which was almost exclusively on the website, pivoted to figuring out why the laptop crashed, whether or not to get a new one, and most importantly how to continue serving Hope Hollow’s community. Fortunately, thanks to smartphones, Kevin and Jane were able to continue fulfilling all referrals that they received. 

While the technology setback was troubling at first, I believe it ended up being a positive experience. Under pressure, Hope Hollow proved that its steadfast focus on providing basic necessities to cancer patients and their families will always prevail. Additionally, it prevented our website team from burning out. Dedicating so much time and energy towards Hope Hollow’s website was beginning to become exhausting, so separation was much appreciated. Instead of website work, I researched and drafted potential grants for Hope Hollow, attended a new committee meeting, and had conversations with members of Hope Hollow’s community.

Our technology setback was at times frustrating, but it provided some separation from our website work. I believe this separation will be to our benefit as we begin working on the website once again next week with refreshed perspectives and new ideas.