Episode 15: Maine Recovery and Workforce Community: A Dignified Job Makes All the Difference

Host: Elise Kiely
Guest: Margo Walsh, Founder of MaineWorks and Co-Founder of United Recovery Fund

Episode Summary:
In this compelling episode of Elegant Maine Living, Elise Kiely sits down with Margo Walsh—founder of the groundbreaking employment company MaineWorks and co-founder of the nonprofit United Recovery Fund. Together, they explore the intersection of Maine’s workforce, real estate, and recovery communities.

Margo shares her inspiring personal journey—from Wall Street to rehabilitation, and ultimately, to her calling in Maine. Learn how she turned a volunteer role at the Cumberland County Jail into a bold business model that helps people transitioning from incarceration and addiction find dignified, paying work in Maine’s construction industry.

Elise and Margo also discuss:

• Why MaineWorks hires exclusively from the recovery and reentry population
• The logistics, risks, and rewards of employing people from pre-release programs
• The critical role of housing, transportation, and basic necessities in helping people rebuild their lives
• The genesis and growth of United Recovery Fund, which helps bridge the gap with direct financial support for essentials like rent, steel-toed boots, and bus fare
• How Maine’s values and tight-knit communities create fertile ground for meaningful reintegration and employment
• Why every community member deserves the chance to add value and reclaim their place in society

Featured Quote:

“A good job makes all the difference.”

Resources Mentioned:

• MaineWorks
• United Recovery Fund
• Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty

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Please remember this podcast is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not create an attorney client or real estate advisor client relationship. Please reach out to me directly if I can assist you in your real estate journey.