United Recovery Fund

Justin Downey had just been released from a long-term sentence in Massachusetts. He was living at a sober house in Portland when he arrived at MaineWorks in search of work and a change in surroundings. Early life was tough for Justin, having grown up in a rough section of South Boston and experiencing many rocky family relationships. “I showed up at MaineWorks, introduced myself, and filled out an application that didn’t ask me if I had been convicted of a felony. The next day I had a job. But it grew into something way more than just a place that gets you a job. Margo’s presence is loving and kind. It’s genuine. I found a place where I didn’t feel like such an alien. There were a lot of guys [around me] that were in my situation. They were all trying to figure out their life and coming back from years of addiction and years of incarceration. There are so many unseen factors that people don’t realize.” While MaineWorks connected Justin with a job, United Recovery Fund was there to support him with the unseen factors. URF helped Justin pay for rent at his sober house, food, mental health counseling, and obtaining government identifications. At the fire circle each morning, he found safety and support. Over the last year, Justin has been transitioning away from his long-term welding career to study to become a somatic therapist. “I have watched him transform from utterly broken to a man who helps other people in countless ways in recovery, advocacy, therapeutic healing practices and by genuinely having a huge heart,” says Margo Walsh, United Recovery Fund Co-Founder. We are so privileged to have been a chapter in Justin's journey, and we can't wait to see what's next for him. 💛 #CommunityHeals #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #Reentry #PortlandMaine #MaineNonprofit #UnitedRecoveryFund

In 2021, Cale Manseau was introduced to MaineWorks and United Recovery Fund through a sober house in Portland, Maine. Originally from Newport, New Hampshire, his true recovery began after multiple bouts of "rock bottom," losing everything from material possessions to his relationship with his family. "When I first moved to Portland, I didn’t have a lot of money, just enough to get into sober living. I then started working with AlliedCook Construction through MaineWorks, but there were a couple of weeks before I could start getting a paycheck." United Recovery Fund supported Cale with rides to and from work, gift cards for groceries, and assisted him with rent at his sober houses the few times he came up short. Eventually, when Cale was able to get a vehicle, URF helped with the cost of registration. Two years later, Cale was offered an official contract with AlliedCook Construction, which included full benefits and a 401(k), something he never had in previous jobs. "I wouldn't have this opportunity if it wasn't for United Recovery Fund and MaineWorks taking a chance on me. They didn't know me at all—just that I was in recovery and newly sober. I don't know what I or others would do without their resources. They provide you with the things you really stress out about [in early recovery]— how am I going to make money to pay for this and that? They have helped me tremendously in the last two years." Cale took the offer with Allied Cook, and he has continued to progress in his recovery. “Recovery feels awesome. I have a relationship with my brother who is in the program as well. He started his path to recovery about 5 months after I did and he’s doing amazing. We both have a relationship with our parents. I feel good. I feel like I can wake up in the morning and actually want to go to work. I want to do little things that bring me joy, like fishing and golfing, playing pool, and going to the bowling alley with my friends." #Recovery #Community #MaineNonprofit MaineWorks Margo Walsh

Meet Matthew Richardson. He was connected with MaineWorks and United Recovery Fund in 2016. URF helped Matt get his driver’s license back and provided him with financial assistance to get back on his feet. Matt is a highly skilled construction laborer, carpenter, and car mechanic. As a contractor through MaineWorks with Penobscot General Contractors, he recently served as the primary crane operator at Portland’s famous B&M Baked Bean factory! In his free time, Matt enjoys studying history and reading impressively dense books, and he recently started roller skating again. He also really, really loves fast cars. In the future, Matt hopes to buy land and enjoy life with lots of friends and family. #CommunityHeals #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #Reentry #PortlandMaine #MaineNonprofit

Wilfredo Chavez was connected with United Recovery Fund back in 2023 after completing treatment in New Hampshire and arriving at a sober house in Maine. Through MaineWorks, he began work as a general laborer with Zachau Construction Inc. in Portland. "United Recovery Fund helped me on so many levels. They helped me get my license back, open a savings account, get rides to and from work, first month’s rent for my sober house, weatherized clothing, and gift cards to purchase groceries and everyday necessities. Everything I needed for my job was provided for me. They’ve always been willing to help me out. URF is an organization that actually cares to see people like me get well and back on their feet.” Wilfredo has been consistently making big steps forward in his recovery and life. “Before I didn’t love myself, I would make myself change for other people. At the end of the day I would be tired, having to be stuck with my real self again. Now, being able to be myself and love myself for who I am and what I do and what I like, it’s a really good feeling. At the end of the day I’m doing me, and I’ll be doing me until the end.” #CommunityHeals #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #Reentry #PortlandMaine #MaineNonprofit #UnitedRecoveryFund

Kellen Hollenkamp was first incarcerated at age thirteen. He grew up in group homes and eventually a youth center. As an adult, in the final years of his incarceration, he utilized all the classes and programs offered to him. Kellen went to school, worked, and obtained multiple certifications. In 2011, he met Margo Walsh in a workforce readiness class. When he was released from incarceration, one of the first calls he made was to MaineWorks. Immediately, Kellen was provided with a job doing bridge construction. From there, he was "off and running." "United Recovery Fund helped me and my family during Christmas - paying half of my rent during a very hard time while I was unable to work. I'm forever thankful for the generosity and love from Margo and others involved." In 2023, Kellen started a successful construction company called Timbercoast Construction. He is committed to his recovery and tools like prayer and meditation. In the future, his dream is to own land in the Carrabasset Valley with his children and support at-risk youth. #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #PortlandMaine #Nonprofit

Thank you Kennebunk Savings! Their generous gift allowed for the purchase of a vehicle, thereby helping United Recovery Fund better assist our clients in getting to and from work. Having our own vehicles to transport our clients is essential because ride-sharing companies are not always reliable or cost-effective. This particular vehicle will be added to our fleet that takes clients from their sober houses to their job sites all across York County, Maine and New Hampshire! 🚗 ☀️

Thank you Karen J. Stanley and Barry Wolach of United Recovery Fund and also Wesley Salvucci of MaineWorks for stopping by today! Today we discussed the importance of treatment/work integration to better help facilitate long term recovery. These two organizations do a fantastic job making those necessary connections and filling gaps for individuals in need. Portland Treatment #recovery #yorkcounty

Meet Reilley Lombardi. His journey began when he was released from jail in 2019, and in his words, "he needed a job ASAP." A friend in his sober house introduced him to MaineWorks who then connected him with a job as a laborer. 🤝 United Recovery Fund stepped in to help with things Reilley just didn't have the funds for ~ cellphone, groceries, rides to and from work, dental work, and countless other things that one might take for granted. 🍎🚙🦷 As time went on, Reilley did everything at his job to the best of his ability. Naturally, he was promoted over and over until he reached his current position as the head foreman for AlliedCook Construction. 🦺 "In my recovery, I've found myself again, and I like myself the way I am these days. Thank you very much to everyone at MaineWorks and United Recovery Fund. I owe a debt that can't be repaid." ✨ In his free time, Reilley likes to go to the gym, play cards, snowboard, and spend time with friends, family, and girlfriend. His hopes for the future include remaining healthy and happy—things money can't buy. 💙 . #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #PortlandMaine #Mainelive #Nonprofit #mainenonprofit #Sustainableemployment #motivation #motivationtoday #BCorp #bcorpcertified #UnitedRecoveryFund #MaineWorks #Hopeful #MicDrop

Wesley Salvucci's recovery began in 2020. That same year, MaineWorks connected Wes with a position working as a construction laborer, which eventually turned into a management position. But before his first paycheck kicked in, United Recovery Fund provided Wes with resources to cover rent, food, and toiletries. 🍎🏠🪥 Today, Wes is the Director of Operations at MaineWorks and manages two sober houses. He has been continually sober for four years, and in his free time, he enjoys fishing, video games, and spending time with his pup. 🐶🎣🚤 Wes is also practicing his public speaking skills. Recently, he was asked to present to seniors at Phillips Exeter Academy around the "Harkness Table," as part of their semester-long investigation into "The Human Pursuit of Euphoria." As part of their coursework, these students are learning about substance use and addiction; the students have attended AA meetings, selected an abstinence project of their own for the semester, and are reading Gabor Matte's, "In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts." Wes is the definition of "recovery in action." 💪🏼✨ . #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #PortlandMaine #Mainelive #Nonprofit #mainenonprofit #Sustainableemployment #motivation #motivationtoday #BCorp #bcorpcertified #UnitedRecoveryFund #MaineWorks #Hopeful #MicDrop

Wesley Salvucci's recovery began in 2020. That same year, MaineWorks connected Wes with a position working as a construction laborer, which eventually turned into a management position. But before his first paycheck kicked in, United Recovery Fund provided Wes with resources to cover rent, food, and toiletries. 🍎🏠🪥 Today, Wes is the Director of Operations at MaineWorks and manages two sober houses. He has been continually sober for four years, and in his free time, he enjoys fishing, video games, and spending time with his pup. 🐶🎣🚤 Wes is also practicing his public speaking skills. Recently, he was asked to present to seniors at Phillips Exeter Academy around the "Harkness Table," as part of their semester-long investigation into "The Human Pursuit of Euphoria." As part of their coursework, these students are learning about substance use and addiction; the students have attended AA meetings, selected an abstinence project of their own for the semester, and are reading Gabor Matte's, "In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts." Wes is the definition of "recovery in action." 💪🏼✨ . #Recovery #SubstanceUseDisorder #Incarceration #PortlandMaine #Mainelive #Nonprofit #mainenonprofit #Sustainableemployment #motivation #motivationtoday #BCorp #bcorpcertified #UnitedRecoveryFund #MaineWorks #Hopeful #MicDrop