WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced that Margo Walsh, the owner and founder of MaineWorks and cofounder of Maine Recovery Fund, will attend the State of the Union tomorrow as his guest. Walsh founded MaineWorks, an employment company that strives to dignify the experience for people who face real barriers to workforce reentry, including people recovering from substance use disorder and people who are reentering society following incarceration.

“Margo and her team at MaineWorks have made it their mission to tackle two of Maine’s most serious problems: the workforce shortages that plague businesses across the state, and the opioid epidemic that has devastated families and communities throughout Maine,” said Senator King. “The opioid epidemic is the most harmful public health crisis I’ve seen in my lifetime, and there’s not going to be a single solution. We need all hands on deck – not just additional treatment capacity and increased funds for law enforcement, but also efforts to reduce stigma and help people in recovery find economic stability. That’s exactly what Margo is doing: working with businesses to help Maine people in recovery create a better life for themselves and others. Her leadership is an example for all of us, and I look forward to having her join me for the State of the Union.”

“It’s a privilege and an honor to join Senator King for the State of the Union,” said Walsh. “Senator King’s continued focus on the opioid epidemic, and his efforts to reduce stigma, embody the type of leadership we need from our public officials. I’m grateful for his invitation, and look forward to further discussing the ways we can help Maine people facing personal struggles find economic stability and continued success in life.”

Photo of Margo Walsh. Courtesy of Maine. The Magazine. 

MaineWorks provides meaningful job placements for economically vulnerable Maine people, and works with the Maine Recovery Fund to employ a comprehensive social needs evaluation so that individuals can be directed to the appropriate local resources. MaineWorks has been a certified B Corporation since 2013, and last year was recognized among the top 10% of B Corporations.

Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington, and has held roundtables across the state of Maine to hear from Maine people in recovery, family members of those struggling with substance use disorders, recovery advocates, medical professionals, and law enforcement. In October, he successfully advocated for the inclusion of a number of provisions important to Maine people in the sweeping opioid legislation that was passed by Senate and signed into law.