Real Estate & Elegant Maine Living - The Way Life Should Be

Episode 16: Maine Recovery and Workforce Community Part 2: A Dignified Job Makes All The Difference

• Elise Kiely • Season 1 • Episode 16

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In the second half of my conversation with Margo Walsh—founder of MaineWorks and co-founder of United Recovery Fund—we explore how employment, structure, and community can change the course of someone’s life.

Margo shares powerful statistics: if individuals can stay employed for just two weeks through MaineWorks, relapse and re-incarceration rates drop dramatically. We also share deeply personal stories of individuals who, with a second chance and meaningful work, have rebuilt their lives, built families and become proud contributors to their communities.

We discuss:

  • The transformative power of a paycheck
  • Misconceptions around criminality and addiction
  • The role of empathy, structure, and accountability in recovery
  • How construction companies in Maine are increasingly welcoming second-chance employees
  • The critical role of supportive partnerships—like that with Androscoggin Bank—in rebuilding financial independence
  • A look ahead: MaineWorks' ambitious goal to expand into housing and social impact investing

Finally, Margo offers a heartfelt invitation to the public to attend their Friday morning fire circles—a grounding and moving weekly gathering that exemplifies the spirit of connection and accountability at MaineWorks.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📌 Quote of the Episode:

“Your past does not have to define your future. A dignified job makes all the difference.” — Margo Walsh

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Elise Kiely: Let's talk about the macro level, if we could, since 2011, roughly how many people have been through your program? 

Margo Walsh: So several thousand, and we average probably 500 W 2s a year that we send out. Wow. So it's people who have been employed, and that costs a lot of money to employ people.

Margo Walsh: It's a huge expense for any company. And then the statistics are unbelievably positive if people can come and stay for two weeks. So for those who come and stay for two weeks, which is an eternity, if you have the barriers of formerly incarcerated and new to recovery. But if they can stay for two weeks, then their chances of relapse and re-incarceration flip from the standard expectation for relapse is 90%.

Margo Walsh: Wow. So if they can stay for two weeks, their chances of relapse [00:26:00] drop to something like 10%. 

Elise Kiely: That's amazing. 

Margo Walsh: It is actually. But it goes to show you, it's so much about rigor, structure, sense of community and purpose. 

Elise Kiely: And that's what you provide 

Margo Walsh: Yeah. 

Elise Kiely: To your employees? 

Margo Walsh: Yep. 

Margo Walsh: And the same is true for their chances of being re-incarcerated.

Margo Walsh: The re-incarceration rate after six months is about 70%, which is staggering for lots of other reasons. But if they can stay for two weeks, then their re-incarceration rates drop to about 30%. 

Elise Kiely: And when you say stay for two weeks, that means two weeks within the Maine work program, 

Margo Walsh: continual employment. Which is in eternity.

Margo Walsh: That's why we have so many people that sign up all eager to go, ready to work. They're employed, hired they receive at least a paycheck. So that's how we value the W2s and then just drift off and or can't do it. So we hope that they become clients of other organizations, perhaps Goodwill Workforce Solutions.

Elise Kiely: But it's, but if you can keep them in your program for two [00:27:00] weeks, the recidivism rate. Drops.

Margo Walsh: It flips. It just totally flips. And so if you looked at this, not on a social impact basis, if you just looked at this on a taxpayer expenditure basis, it's a complete no-brainer. To support organizations like this?

Margo Walsh: Yes. Not to mention the cost saved from re-incarceration, which is the big one. The taxpayer expense. Not to mention all the dependences on services like DHHS and other community services that exist to help people, the social safety net. But we are really proud to have that statistic. 

Elise Kiely: Let's let, can we dive in and talk about some personal stories?

Margo Walsh: Of course. 

Elise Kiely: because I think these are so compelling for people who may be interested in learning more. About MainWorks from an employment's perspective or helping to donate to United Recovery Fund with time or money. Great. So can you share a one-off story or two? 

Margo Walsh: Of course, Elise, thanks for asking.

Margo Walsh: One of those early bridge construction guys actually was in my car driving home one day and we pulled over and he said, I just struggle so badly with anxiety and I'm not allowed to take any medication and [00:28:00] I don't know what I'm going do. And I said what about finding something you like to do so when you get out, he's only in for a shorter period of time.

Margo Walsh: What would you love to do? And he said, I don't know. I really want to travel. I'm a carpenter. And I said why don't you look at Habitat for Humanity? So despite his background of like incredible substance use and a briefer stay in the jail off, he went to Africa on a program and paid his way through this program to work for Habitat for Humanity.

Margo Walsh: 'because he didn't have a felony, he just had a misdemeanor, but. It was so exciting and I love him and to this day, I got invited to his wedding and he's living in Florida, has kids, and so that's really exciting. But then one that really strikes me as my very first employee ever was this tall, great, affable guy who should have gone on to play in the major leagues in baseball.

Margo Walsh: He was unbelievable. Apparently he could throw a fastball really at record speeds, but he also got caught for stealing alcohol. And ended up with multiple compounding [00:29:00] offenses, but now, all these years later, after having worked at Maine Works and done incredibly well. For a very heavy working bridge construction, doing groundwork.

Margo Walsh: He was recently hired for an incredible salary with benefits and pay for another company in Maine, and he now has three boys of his own and he lives in a town just north of Portland. 

Elise Kiely: That's amazing. It is amazing.

Margo Walsh: It is amazing. And his wife is adorable. They're both in recovery. And they have these three children, and I'm honored to be part of that story.

Elise Kiely: Margo, that's, you are doing, you're doing God's work. To take people that are, could have gone one way and with some support, structure, boundaries, encouragement, tough love. You have helped them achieve success and that we are all grateful for that. Do you have any others that you'd like to share?

Elise Kiely: 'Margo I have a story I wanna share, but I want you to, I want you to go on. 

Margo Walsh: Oh, Elise I have so many. And if people are interested, we actually keep a very kind of active list of stuff [00:30:00] that's going on of interest. Maine Works website and also United Recovery Fund shares a lot of impact stories, which is fun.

Elise Kiely: Margo, I'd like to share a story that I remember. That I heard when we were on a board call, and this was probably within the last six months, I was a few minutes late to the board meeting and when I came on it was probably five minutes after the hour, there was this sort of chit chatter. How are you talking socializing, talking on this, on the zoom call.

Elise Kiely: And there was a woman that I didn't recognize on the Zoom call and she was very excited. She was talking about how her son was just named captain of the football team. And she told me that she lived in Cumberland, which is a town next to where I live in Falmouth. And I was oh my gosh.

Elise Kiely: Congratulations. I remember that feeling when a child is in high school and they have this success and we were having this pleasant conversation and I thought she was a new board member or a new employee of United Recovery Fund assistant to Karen or something like that. Come to find out that she was invited to our [00:31:00] board meeting 'because you have invited certain employees who have gone through Maine Works.

Elise Kiely: She was invited to share her story to the board and her story was that she, through I think, some sort of accident or something in early in life had an injury and as part of the recovery for the injury was prescribed prescriptions probably Oxy. And she became addicted to the Oxy and fast forward the knock at the door at three in the morning and it was the Maine state police, and they were, they had arrested her and her children were taken from her.

Elise Kiely: And she spent some time in prison because she ended up, I think, dealing in Oxy through this addiction and. I was in shock because here was this woman who I thought, oh, we're probably in the same book club, or We've probably seen each other at Shaw's or at Hannaford. And her story was that when she came out.

Elise Kiely: She needed help. She had a lead on a job to be a housekeeper in a [00:32:00] hotel in Portland, but she needed black shoes and black pants, and all she had when she was arrested were some leggings and boots that weren't black. And so she came to United Recovery Fund and I think it was a $200 gift certificate to Walmart that she took the bus to get 'because she was living in a sober house and she was clean when she came out. And she bought a pair of black shoes and a pair of black pants and a white shirt, and got the job as a housekeeper and parlayed that into becoming the head housekeeper. Then to becoming the manager of housekeeping for this hotel, national Hotel.

Elise Kiely: I. And then fast forward, she leverages that experience to go back to school and is now a medical technician for an orthopedic surgical practice in the greater Portland area. Reunited with her children, married, and a productive, happy member of society and can be thrilled for her son that he got to be named [00:33:00] captain of the football team.

Margo Walsh: That's a great story. It's an incredible story, and she also had to advocate hard for the exception. because when she had to fill out her application, she had to check a box. Have you ever been arrested? Are you a felon? And she went and wanted to push against that to say, this doesn't represent who I am today.

Margo Walsh: I do have a criminal history related to substances, and it stands to reason and the medical community won't hire me. But could you please consider my merit rather than my past? Past? And that's my mantra, really, is that your past does not have to define you. For the rest of your life, if you're making an effort to change everything, because these individuals are used to doors closing and we're just trying to open the door.

Margo Walsh: And Elise, I'd love that you remember that story so fondly. 'because she's amazing. She's actually a personal friend of mine. We see each other as whenever we can to catch up on how her life is these days. 

Elise Kiely: I just I'm so impressed with that story because who among us hasn't [00:34:00] made a mistake, right? And. Who we all know somebody that through an injury, had a prescription and some people who had that prescription were susceptible to addiction.

Elise Kiely: And it's a terrible disease addiction and a terrible circumstance of how that addiction was enhanced through prescriptions. Yes. And I say that because it takes away the behavioral aspect of it. And not a choice for some people. And it's much harder to judge someone if they don't have a choice in it.

Margo Walsh: Couldn't agree more. And I speak at a lot of functions and have been asked to talk at different gatherings, and I always ask the audience, does anybody know someone who is either in recovery or should be and is 100%. 

Margo Walsh: Absolutely. So it's not a, yeah. Closeted issue. And it's also, I'm really grateful that I'm living in a day and age when people in recovery are very out about their experience. When I first started in 1997, the [00:35:00] anonymity of the program was sacred, and it still is to this day. But I think if people choose to hold their anonymity, but I feel that a lot of people recognize that the power of being open about your circumstances will help other people.

Elise Kiely: Yeah, a hundred percent. And there's strength and power and vulnerability. Yes. And recognizing when you need help. So we've touched on some of the personal stories, and I would love to move now to from the employer's perspective. What are some of the issues that you've seen with employers and hiring some of your employees?

Elise Kiely: Have you noticed that there's strong demand? Do you still face concern? 

Margo Walsh: It's very interesting that you should ask that Elise right now, because now. People get hired regardless of their background, so that in 2011 I was pushing a rock up the hill to starting something that had never been done before, openly hiring people with a criminal history, and now it's passe.[00:36:00] 

Elise Kiely: So you were cool before? I think it was. 

Margo Walsh: Thank you for saying that. I think it was a, an interest, it was a concept. That whose time has had come. And so all I did was push the edge of it to say, let's do this. And so here we are. And I feel like what's exciting is we're about to start a training program through the associated general contractors of Maine.

Margo Walsh: I. Maine Construction Academy, which was developed by their executive director who's amazing. We actually have a cohort of at least four currently incarcerated women joining that cohort of eight, starting in May. And all of our clients, my, excuse me I say clients, meaning the construction sector in Maine who hires our employees don't even ask. They don't care. They don't even ask anymore if you've been arrested, have a criminal record. They might look, they have to take responsibility. We have to hire with discretion. There are certain crimes that are not employable and that's, I think that society still expects that there's a standard of conduct and we have to be very [00:37:00] careful.

Margo Walsh: We definitely look at everyone's criminal history and have to decide about. How is this an egregious crime that represents a deeper mental health condition? Or is it something that, 'because most of the crimes are drug and alcohol related. So as long as it was drug and alcohol related, the theory stands that you can take the drugs and alcohol out and have a higher functioning person.

Margo Walsh: So we still have to hire with discretion. So our clients, to your question, our clients expect us to have the discretion to hire people that we feel that represent our brand 

Margo Walsh: And are poised for success. 

Elise Kiely: That's right. Yeah, a hundred percent. Margo, what are some of the biggest misconceptions do you think of your employees at MainWorks and their ability and willingness to work?

Margo Walsh: The misconception that exists among employers, and I think people in general, is that. Somehow everybody who gets arrested acts in a criminal way. If you and I got arrested today, Elise, we would never see the inside of a jail cell.

Margo Walsh: Arrests and incarceration follow [00:38:00] socioeconomic lines, unequivocably.

Margo Walsh: And so for example, if someone gets arrested who has financial means, they end up down at the jail 'because it protocol to bring them there, but they would be bailed out immediately. So you would never see the inside of a jail. You would never have to go through not being represented by an attorney. You would never have to sit in jail for failure to pay for your bail. Now bail is set according to the heinousness of the crime. Of course. So if it's something that it's, irrefutable that they have to be incarcerated, they will be. But I'm talking about people who have drug and alcohol related crimes from drug and alcohol related behavior.

Margo Walsh: Distribution, sales, holding drugs. So I definitely think that there's a misconception about what is criminality. 

Elise Kiely: It's interesting, , because I think until you actually meet someone who has gone through this experience, it's easy to sit back and have a narrative and a judgment about what this person did or didn't do, or what they should have done or what they shouldn't have done.

Elise Kiely: And once you meet someone. You [00:39:00] have a closer connection to them and I think that you, through your leadership and you are being very public about your journey and the growth of Maine Works, you have attracted a lot of attention and a lot of construction companies are eager to have their relationship with you and have your employees work in their companies.

Elise Kiely: You've also attracted a lot of community partners in the area that I think have seen the work that you're doing and the leadership you're providing and recognizing. How beneficial it is for the community as a whole. So tell me a little bit about your community partnerships and the businesses that support you.

Elise Kiely: 'because they recognize the important work that you're doing. 

Margo Walsh: Thank you, Elise, because along the continuum of Maine works from getting arrested, being incarcerated, getting out finding a job and finding housing. That all crosses the spectrum of a lot of our social organizations from the jail and prison to all the employment services that exist and actually housing itself.

Margo Walsh: [00:40:00] So we by extension, have established organizations that we're friendly with in all of those areas. I would like to point out a couple of our really important community partnerships. In fact, other B Corps. because B Corp have all accepted the fact that you, we can use business to solve and address some of the social and environmental issues that are ingrained.

Margo Walsh: So as an example, we have a wonderful relationship with Androscoggin Bank, which is a fellow B Corp. And it's really hard to get a B Corp certified as a financial institution. And they did that and I'm so proud of them. But they started a community impact program where there's a banker who literally will sit down with all of the Maine Works employees and she even goes to sober houses and does not even financial literacy 'because financial literacy often expects that people are starting with something I. These individuals are starting with nothing and have never even known what a credit report is or how to pay back banks that they might have gotten in trouble with for all the overdraft fees and that sort of thing.

Margo Walsh: And keep in mind that all of those problems just get [00:41:00] deferred while you're incarcerated and compounded. So we love the fact that, so they're not starting with nothing? No, they're starting in the hole less, way less than nothing. Which is why by this is a separate podcast, but which is why. Under the table, employment is ubiquitous and illegal, frankly.

Margo Walsh: But that's what drives people is the more money they can make, not pay taxes, put as much money together as possible. 'because then as soon as they're on the books, they have to pay child support. That's been held in arrears. And all these other daunting expenses. So I really think that Androscoggin Bank help bring people out of the shadows into the real life of let's take a look at exactly what your situation is personally.

Margo Walsh: And the level of individualized care is astounding. And I'm so grateful for that partnership as an example. 

Elise Kiely: It's interesting. Thank you for that, Margo. And it's interesting 'because I know the woman who does that from Androscoggin Bank, and I didn't realize she actually went to the sober houses.

Elise Kiely: I thought they came into the bank. That just shows another level of commitment and I know that she feels a [00:42:00] personal draw to do that, almost a mission of hers to do that, to help people clean up their financial situation and see a path. If you feel like there's no path forward, why? Why make the effort?

Elise Kiely: But if people can see, okay, I'm working this job, I'm getting a paycheck. I can see a path towards some independence, and eventually move out of a sober house, get an apartment. That motivation is so important as part of the whole equation with a good job makes all the difference, and everybody contributing.

Elise Kiely: So Margo, let's look ahead for a second as we're sitting here in 2025, what are your goals for Maine Works and United Recovery Fund? 

Margo Walsh: Interestingly, you should ask Elise, because right now, having worked at Goldman Sachs way long ago, I'm now enrolled in their 10,000 small businesses program. Which asks, what is your growth plan?

Margo Walsh: So the perfect timing. At the same time, I'm also giving a TED Talk about a week after the Goldman Sachs pitch. So we've been thinking a lot about this and [00:43:00] our way forward is housing. because I think that the, if you look at real estate as a ladder and the median house price now, is it about the lowest rung on the ladder is still out of reach for most people?

Elise Kiely: Yes. And growing. I 

Elise Kiely: mean that number continues to escalate in Maine. 

Margo Walsh: Yes. So giving people an opportunity to learn how to be a rent payer, a tenant, gives them the confidence then to go into the private rental market. And put some money together. And then with other agencies, like there's an organization, and I think it's in the Pacific Northwest, called own nfi.

Margo Walsh: It's a way to finance the down payment concurrent with the mortgage so that it gives people who have never had, who don't have a nest egg. And in this generational wealth transfer that's happening right now, a lot of people are getting to pay cash for houses, which is a luxury that's out of reach for all of our people.

Margo Walsh: But I love the trend that housing is looking at things like tiny homes. Where people can [00:44:00] actually start, or a studio and buy it, rather than just be stuck in a renting paradigm for because there's no pride in renting. Ownership is the objective, as we all know. And 

Margo Walsh: it's a path. And the rental has to come first.

Elise Kiely: That's right. And there's so much inventory, Margo, and this could be a separate podcast of residential real estate that is considered subpar, that people's expectations are higher than the inventory that's available. Yes, and I think there's a, there is opportunity for some of your employees, the people coming through the Maine Works program who are skilled often in the construction industry to go in and with assistance live in these homes, eventually purchase these homes, add the value, add the equity, fix them up, make them more habitable. I think that's a path forward for people and something that I would love to explore with you in the future.

Margo Walsh: It sounds like a terrific opportunity, and I also think that as people, I would, I've noticed too, because I get involved in a lot of [00:45:00] discussions about impact investing and impact philanthropy.

Margo Walsh: I think that this generation, our generation, I keep thinking about us as the younger crowd, actually I'm one of the older crowd, but my generation, which has been receiving the transfer of wealth from older parents love to be more involved in where their money is being invested. And so I think it's nice that these impact investment organizations exist to say, if you're interested in this, there's Pathways to make a direct investment in purchasing that house and flipping it for the, off offering the people the opportunity to work, I think, 

Margo Walsh: And benefit from some of that equity that's built up. That's right. And it's been interesting to see a real increase in social impact investing vehicles. 

Elise Kiely: Yes. And I agree with you. I think as we see this transfer of wealth, I think it was like, it's 84, $87 trillion that will, that I think is in the process of being transferred now.

Margo Walsh: Yeah. And there will be many who want to make an impact, who don't. Just want to hold on to this enormous amount of wealth that [00:46:00] want to donate, want to make sure that's being directed and have a hands-on experience and participate in the community in which they're giving. 

Elise Kiely: Yes. And I think there's a real opportunity for United Recovery Fund, and I think there's a real opportunity for people who are moving to Maine or have been here for generations to say, I wanna be part of that success story.

Elise Kiely: I want to be part of making this a better place to live. Not just sitting on the sidelines saying Those people shouldn't be addicted, or Those people need to get a job, but I'm going deny them the resources. And the opportunity for the job. Who realized I want to be part of this? I want to have, I want to get my hands dirty, I want to be in personally involved in this and segwaying into that.

Elise Kiely: There's always opportunities to give and there'll be links in the show notes to Maine Works and United Recovery Fund where people can donate. But let's talk about how people can have a personal impact and get up close and one of the most wonderful [00:47:00] opportunities, I think are your fire circles. 

Margo Walsh: Thank you.

Elise Kiely: Can you share a little bit about that? 

Margo Walsh: Of course. 

Margo Walsh: About 10 years ago, we used to gather every single morning in the 7 11 parking lot and I would just drop the tailgate of my truck as a handy place to dispatch, talk to people about where are you going? Do you have your lunch, and do you know what site you're going to?

Margo Walsh: Yes. Very practical conversation. And then that just became a circle, and then we moved to our real office and we we felt amiss without the gathering. So we started to have the gathering, and then finally we said. Why don't we have a circle with around a fire? And so we got permission from the city to have a fire every Friday morning now at 6:00 AM which anyone is welcome to join.

Margo Walsh: And Elise, you've been there several times. I feel like it is the DNA of our organization and we had a few weeks off because we've had a very messy winter. But we'll be back in full next. Next month and anybody would be welcome to come if they're curious and always welcome to just give us a [00:48:00] call or send an email to express any interest in the type of work that we're doing.

Elise Kiely: Margo, I remember the first time I heard you share about the fire circle and share that anybody can come. When I first heard it, I thought, I don't I don't want to intrude. I don't want to be a voyeur to people's experiences, and I was very hesitant. because I thought it was disrespectful for me to go, and I did go to one I, my husband may have gone with me, I can't remember, but I was so in awe about the experience because you had everybody go around and introduce themselves, and I was sitting next to two gentlemen that were off to construction site and they shared just a little bit about their story, about their incarceration and their addiction, and now they felt like they were on the other side of that they were earning a paycheck. They were helping others that were coming in behind them.

Elise Kiely: And that was a big theme in those fire circles. I left that fire circle. Thinking, [00:49:00] okay, I want to clean out my car. Who needs a ride? Who needs a ride to this job site? Who needs a ride to that job? Anybody need lunch money? Anybody need? You know what? What do you need? Toothbrush, steel toed shoes. I just felt this compulsion to be a part of.

Elise Kiely: And so I have gone to several of the other fire circles and I just want to amplify Margo's invitation. About anybody is welcome and if you are looking for a transformative experience, I invite you to come. It will be well worth your time. And please contact me if you want someone to go with, please contact me and we can go together to one of the fire circles 'because it's a wonderful experience.

Margo Walsh: Elise, I would just like to say that I'm so excited for you to have this podcast and I feel like you are. Incredible bandwidth is unique, but you can see the value of having a beautiful home. With a spectacular view or other assets, and also continue to be driven to help with people on the margins like that.

Margo Walsh: And I think [00:50:00] Maine actually allows for that dichotomy and access. I and people, I think that your apprehension is very common, that people think, I don't want to be like an interloper. Not at all. because I think that any curiosity that you might have can be assuaged by your presence and coming and visiting and seeing what we have going on, and to realize that we're all in this together, no exceptions.

Elise Kiely: Very well said. Margo and I do feel we're all vulnerable to different things and. Thereby the grace of God go any of us. And we could, any of us could be in a situation like that if we had made a different choice or something beyond our control had happened to us. And we all have an obligation to be engaged in community and to add value.

Elise Kiely: I just, I so firmly believe that. Margo, thank you. And Margo, as I do these podcasts, I usually do the last five minutes with some quickfire questions, because we start with getting to know you at [00:51:00] the beginning, how you grew up in Maine and. Your work at Goldman Sachs and then how you grew the company, Maine Works and United Recovery Fund, and the challenges that you face.

Elise Kiely: And I like to end the episode with people getting to know you a little bit more too. So I have some specific questions. Great. Are you ready? 

Margo Walsh: Yes, of course. Okay. 

Elise Kiely: This is a big one. What does Elegant Maine living mean to you? Where do you see elegance in Maine? 

Margo Walsh: Oh I grew up on Cumberland Foreside with a panoramic ocean view and I took it for granted. And I think that the reason that Maine is so unbelievable is because of the access that we have to this beautiful natural resource. So that really is the elegance of Maine is in every home that can see the ocean in Maine, 

Elise Kiely: frankly. 

Elise Kiely: I agree. And aren't we lucky that even if you don't have a a home with a view, a short drive. Yeah. To in and out of Portland, or over the bridge to Cape Elizabeth. Or if you're in Harpswell, the access to the ocean is unbelievable and nature is so [00:52:00] restorative. Yes. And just looking at every way. Oh, in every way. Okay. Favorite hidden gem or place in Maine? 

Margo Walsh: Casco Bay.

Margo Walsh: Have to say you're a sailor. I grew up sailing on Casco Bay. I'll probably end up there in my, in your retirement, in whatever form it takes.

Elise Kiely: I don't see you actually ever retiring. Margo, you have so much energy and for just getting started. Yes. A favorite coffee shop. 

Margo Walsh: Our next door neighbor, the proper cup, the oh on Forest Avenue.

Margo Walsh: Forest Avenue on Forest. It's adorable. Very welcoming. Stayed open all through COVID and wow. It's made so many different accommodations during COVID. They're just awesome. Any local coffee shop, 

Elise Kiely: Favorite restaurant, if somebody was going come and you have a lot of very high public figures. Who are your friends?

Margo Walsh: At Four Street? Fourth Street. 

Margo Walsh: Without question. Wood, fire, wood grill, everything. And we actually, I had a beautiful evening with Elise, Kiely at Four Street about a year ago. 

Elise Kiely: We did. It was fantastic. 

Elise Kiely: I think the atmosphere is there is so good. So good. Okay. Favorite book or [00:53:00] podcast? 

Margo Walsh: Oh, my favorite book, my personal North Star is this man who started Homeboy Industries in East LA.

Margo Walsh: His name is Father Greg Boyle, and he wrote a book called Tattoos on the Heart, and it takes all of the Maine Work stories and just blows them all across the greater LA landscape and says. We're not alone. The struggle is so profound in so many different places, and I love tattoos on the heart. Tattoos on the heart.

Elise Kiely: Okay, I am going add it to my 

Elise Kiely: book list. Favorite sports team? 

Margo Walsh: Oh, hearts of Pine. 

Elise Kiely: Oh, good answer. 

Margo Walsh: Portland Hearts of Pine, the brand new. Our beautiful friend Libby Hoffman has a son named Gabe, who's really committed to N. Just doing a beautiful job getting hearts of pine off the ground. 

Elise Kiely: A professional soccer team.

Elise Kiely: Just starting off this year is their first season. Yeah, I think. I think they've had one exhibition game. They won and they won. Yes, which is fantastic. So far so good. Margo, thank you. Any final thoughts of words of wisdom for our listeners today? 

Margo Walsh: First of all, Elise, I'm [00:54:00] really grateful for the opportunity to join you as my friend and in this podcast that you're doing because I think that the way to talk across issues is through community.

Margo Walsh: And so the more opportunities that you are presenting for people to reach in and learn about what is interesting and cool going on in Maine. That they will be invited then to participate in that. So I really do think that the constant invitation to people to join, to come and see, to talk about it, and to create places that people can gather.

Margo Walsh: So to me, I think that this podcast will be a catalyst for a lot of conversation and I'm really excited for you. 

Elise Kiely: Thank you, Margo. I really appreciate it. I think, the more you are curious about something, the more full your life will be. Margo, thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and your insights.

Elise Kiely: The recap of today's episode is so inspiring that you can go from a volunteer position as part of your own recovery, creating a for-profit company that becomes a B Corp, [00:55:00] and then there's the United Recovery Fund nonprofit arm to help with the social aspects of your employees with their rides housing outer aware that they need on these construction sites and talking about the growth of people's acceptance of people with substance abuse disorder and the acceptance of some of Maine's wonderful construction companies in hiring some of your employees has really been fascinating and encouraging.

Elise Kiely: And I just want to reiterate again, Margo's invitation to come join a fire circle on Friday mornings at six. And please reach out to me if you would like someone to go with, 'because I would be happy to do that. Thanks again, Margo. 

Margo Walsh: Thank you, Elise. 

Elise Kiely: Thank you for joining us on Elegant Maine Living, and remember if you are dreaming of a lifestyle in Maine or already living it, this podcast is for you.

Elise Kiely: Be sure to subscribe so you don't [00:56:00] miss an episode. And I invite you to take this journey with me. Please share it with your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. I would love a review and welcome feedback and encourage you to reach out with questions or topics you would like to hear about. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or simply an email to elise@elisekylie.com, and all of those links will be in the show notes.

Elise Kiely: And remember, this podcast is for entertainment and informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client or real estate advisory relationship. I am happy to engage. If you have any questions or if I can help in your real estate journey, simply click on the links in the show notes to contact me through social media or email.

Elise Kiely: I'm always happy to help in any way that I can, and we welcome you to come and explore Maine. Thank you for listening to Elegant Maine Living, [00:57:00] where elegance isn't just an aesthetic, it's a way of life. Until next time, keep living with elegance.

 

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Elise Kiely

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