This Week's Speakers: Margo Walsh and Karen Stanley - MaineWorks/ United Recovery Fund
This Friday, Margo Walsh from MaineWorks and Karen Stanley from the United Recovery Fund will present a video and comments about the United Recovery Fund. The United Recovery Fund was founded in 2017 to provide comprehensive and holistic services that are crucial for the lasting success of individuals recovering from substance use disorder or reentering the work force after jail or prison.
In 2010, out of her own recovery, Margo was volunteering at the Cumberland County Jail and recognized that the inmates involved in the ‘prerelease employment program’ were under-employed which gave her an idea to start a felon-based employment company. She founded MaineWorks in 2011, offering labor support to the industrial construction sector in Maine, where career opportunities are ‘merit-based’ and has multiple career paths to choose from. MaineWorks was the first company in Maine to be certified as a B Corp, balancing mission and margin, and is now serving 3 states.
In 2017, Margo cofounded United Recovery Fund, (formerly Maine Recovery Fund) to provide financial support to address obstacles to employment including: transportation, rent assistance, work wear, license reinstatement, court fees, mental and physical healthcare as well as dental and vision care.
Margo Walsh grew up in Cumberland, graduated from Waynflete School and received a BA in Psychology from Wheaton College. After college, Margo worked in New York within the Investment Banking Division at Goldman, Sachs & Co. leading college and MBA recruiting. Later Margo moved to Connecticut and worked for the international consulting firm, Hewitt.
Karen Stanley, United Recovery Fund Executive Director, joined URF after a successful 23-year career with CARITAS, a human services organization in Virginia. CARITAS provides housing services from emergency shelter to sober-living apartments, more than 300 residential recovery beds for men and women, a workforce development and life skills program, and Virginia’s only furniture bank. Her swansong was the completion of the CARITAS Center – a $28M, 150,000 square foot facility that consolidated three locations and added a 140-bed recovery program for women and 47 sober-living apartments. Her leadership was recognized by several organizations including the YWCA Outstanding Woman Award, the Richmond Times-Dispatch “Person of the Year,” Richmond Magazine’s Bold Women, and the Ukrop Community Vision Award. She lives in Biddeford with her partner, Dean and is involved with Ketcha Outdoors as a member of the Board.
CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS, HERE'S THE CATCH!
Our Lobster Raffle, in partnership with Luke's Lobster continues its steady growth, as we connect with the many tourists coming off the cruise ships!
It's also a great opportunity to really connect with other Rotarians outside of our regular club meetings. This is how you grow in Rotary - by making friends!
As of today, Sept 25, we have 25 upcoming selling dates scheduled.
Note! We learned that we needed to sync our booth times with the actual times that the ships arrive. Now when you check the dates available, also check the time of day.Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the boat arrival time to get set up.
Set up does require carrying the items from the "Summer Feet Cycling" van about 20 yards to our set up spot. Everything is light, but the more hands the better. Setting up the tent is much easier with two people. As capable as we all are....this is a call for some of our younger members!
Ready to roll - On top, Roger Fagan, Bruce Moore and Jan Chapman, with Bruce Nickerson, Justin Lamontagne, Dick Hall, and Patty Byers.
Advice From A Lobster: Don't Be Shellfish
BITS AND PIECES:
Last week's social event took place at the home of the Byers - President Patty and her husband Reid. With assistance from social directors Jake Bourdeau and Quinn Slayton, those gathered had a great time with some delicious food, drinks, and competitive cornhole. Excellent time was enjoyed by all!
What goes on at our socials....is shared in photos!
BACKPACK DISTRIBUTION: Portland Rotarians volunteered to distribute pre-packed backpacks to school children at the Boys and Girls Club in Portland.In addition to backpacks, they helped the set-up and distribution of socks, shoes and t-shirts. Many, many happy faces! Rotarians involved were Amy Chipman, Jim Willey, and Niki Curtis pictured here, in addition to Brian Nickerson and Patty Byers. Arranged by Zach Newell- thanks to all!
BEST BUDDIES NEEDS SOME BUDDIES:
Best Buddies is offering an Ambassador Training workshop at Cloudport in Portland on Thursday, September 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. And we need you to volunteer! This event is run in partnership with Mary Pat Donnellon and the Community Service Committee. We still need 5-6 volunteers. It will be a fun and rewarding 2 hours. No prep needed. Best Buddies will deliver all the content and run the meeting. If you are interested in becoming a Best Buddies Ambassador and attending the training on September 26, please email Zach Newell with a click here!
Speaker Schedule
October 4 - Patty Byers and Laura Young - Club Visioning Update
October 11 - Brooke Haley - Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Act
October 17 - Thursday Night Social Event
October 18 - No Meeting
October 25 - Cary Tyson - Portland Downtown
November 1 - Kirk Duffy- Visiting Savannah
Club Executives
President Patty Byers President Elect John Thompson Vice President Justin Lamontagne TreasurerDick Hall Secretary Tom Nickerson Board of Directors Dick Hall,
In 2010, out of her own recovery, Margo was volunteering at the Cumberland County Jail and recognized that the inmates involved in the ‘prerelease employment program’ were under-employed which gave her an idea to start a felon-based employment company. She founded MaineWorks in 2011, offering labor support to the industrial construction sector in Maine, where career opportunities are ‘merit-based’ and has multiple career paths to choose from. MaineWorks was the first company in Maine to be certified as a B Corp, balancing mission and margin, and is now serving 3 states.
Karen Stanley, United Recovery Fund Executive Director, joined URF after a successful 23-year career with CARITAS, a human services organization in Virginia. CARITAS provides housing services from emergency shelter to sober-living apartments, more than 300 residential recovery beds for men and women, a workforce development and life skills program, and Virginia’s only furniture bank. Her swansong was the completion of the CARITAS Center – a $28M, 150,000 square foot facility that consolidated three locations and added a 140-bed recovery program for women and 47 sober-living apartments. Her leadership was recognized by several organizations including the YWCA Outstanding Woman Award, the Richmond Times-Dispatch “Person of the Year,” Richmond Magazine’s Bold Women, and the Ukrop Community Vision Award. She lives in Biddeford with her partner, Dean and is involved with Ketcha Outdoors as a member of the Board.
Our Lobster Raffle, in partnership with Luke's Lobster continues its steady growth, as we connect with the many tourists coming off the cruise ships!
Best Buddies is offering an Ambassador Training workshop at Cloudport in Portland on Thursday, September 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. And we need you to volunteer! This event is run in partnership with Mary Pat Donnellon and the Community Service Committee. We still need 5-6 volunteers. It will be a fun and rewarding 2 hours. No prep needed. Best Buddies will deliver all the content and run the meeting. If you are interested in becoming a Best Buddies Ambassador and attending the training on September 26, please .png)
