References when my manager was laid off too - 10 months and counting

The company closed and I am not sure how to reach former colleagues. A colleague offered to vouch for me. How do you ask politely?

Ask former colleagues and supervisors in a short message and give them a summary of the job you are applying for.

Thanks for writing this out. I went through something close to it 10 months ago, and it got easier once I kept a simple log of every call and form.