When Christine Staskiewicz was forced into retirement in 2023 after years of working as an IT recruiter, she faced a difficult personal transition. Health complications tied to two rare forms of Muscular Dystrophy had made the demands of full-time work increasingly difficult, leading to repeated hospitalizations and physical setbacks. Rather than withdrawing from public life, however, Staskiewicz redirected her energy toward building a grassroots organization focused on civic engagement, education, and community support.
Today, she serves as president of Pocketbook Brigade, a nonprofit organization working to organize marches, provide community assistance programs, and expand access to educational resources that help people improve their personal and professional lives.
Staskiewicz says the idea for Pocketbook Brigade emerged during a period when she was struggling emotionally with both her health challenges and what she viewed as growing division and financial pressure affecting communities across the United States. Although she had already volunteered with organizations including the Periodic Paralysis Association, she says she wanted to create something that could directly engage people at the local level while adapting to the unpredictability of her own health.
“One day I realized I needed something bigger that I could truly pour myself into,” Staskiewicz says. “Even when life throws you a curveball, you can still find your voice and make a difference in the lives of other people.”
According to the organization, Pocketbook Brigade’s mission is centered on “doing the most good for the most people.” Its activities include organizing community marches, clothing drives, food drives, and educational initiatives designed to help individuals strengthen their financial and career stability. The organization is also developing future programming focused on financial literacy, employment coaching, recruitment guidance, and employee retention seminars for community members.
That mission reflects much of Staskiewicz’s professional background. Before retiring, she spent most of her career helping people secure employment opportunities and assisting companies in identifying talent aligned with their organizational goals. She says those years shaped her understanding of how financial insecurity, limited access to information, and lack of opportunity can affect entire communities.
“I spent years helping people find careers that could change their lives,” she says. “What I learned is that confidence, knowledge, and support can completely change someone’s direction.”
Since its launch, Pocketbook Brigade has organized multiple community initiatives in Georgia, including food drives, clothing drives, toy donation campaigns, and several “No Kings” marches in Tucker and surrounding areas. The organization has also attracted increasing public attention through local media coverage and community partnerships.
In April 2025, the organization was recognized at the Georgia State Capitol by Representative Doreen Carter for its work educating women about financial decision-making and economic awareness. Staskiewicz was also interviewed by Atlanta community radio station WRFG and featured in coverage by local publication Decaturish, discussing the organization’s impact on the community. Representative Hank Johnson has participated in multiple marches organized by the group.
Despite the visibility surrounding the marches, Staskiewicz says Pocketbook Brigade does not align itself with political parties or candidates. Instead, she describes the organization as community-focused and issue-oriented, centered on encouraging civic awareness and constructive public engagement.
“We welcome people from different backgrounds and perspectives,” she says. “What matters to us is whether someone wants to contribute something hopeful and positive to the community.”
Staskiewicz also believes her personal health journey has shaped the way she approaches leadership. Living with Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis and Myotonia has forced her to navigate uncertainty, physical limitations, and abrupt changes to daily life. She says those experiences deepened her empathy for people facing struggles that may not always be visible to others.
Looking ahead, she hopes Pocketbook Brigade can continue expanding its educational programming while creating more opportunities for local residents to connect with resources and one another.
“For me, success is helping people feel empowered instead of helpless,” Staskiewicz says. “If we can help even one person realize they still have value, purpose, and the ability to create change, then the work matters.”
