The Power of a Second Chance: Why MaineWorks Hires Differently

At MaineWorks, we believe in second chances – not as a marketing line, but as a business model, a social mission, and a statement of belief about the kind of world we want to build.

Every day, we meet people who are ready to work. They’re smart, driven, reliable, and eager to contribute. But they’ve been overlooked by traditional employers because of things like incarceration, substance use recovery, homelessness, or just gaps in their resumes.

We exist to change that – and we’ve built our company on the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life through work.

A Different Kind of Staffing Agency

Typical staffing agencies focus on speed and volume. We focus on people.

When someone joins MaineWorks, we do more than just place them in a job. We offer:

• One-on-one support to help them show up and succeed
• Partnerships with housing providers to ensure stability
• Access to recovery and re-entry resources to support long-term goals
• Connection to a community that believes in them

This approach isn’t just good for the people we serve. It’s good for business. Our clients consistently tell us that MaineWorks crews are some of the hardest-working, most reliable teams they’ve had on-site. And they come with a built-in support system that traditional staffing models simply can’t offer.

Why Second Chances Matter

There are over 19 million Americans with a felony conviction – and many more who’ve struggled with addiction, mental health issues, or periods of instability. Too often, these challenges follow people long after they’ve gotten clean, served their time, or stabilized their lives.

We’re here to say: your past doesn’t define your future.

And we know that when someone gets a shot – just one shot – at a real job, a real paycheck, and real purpose, everything starts to change.

We’ve seen people move into stable housing, reunite with their kids, pay off fines, get promoted, and become mentors to others on the same journey.

Success Stories that Inspire Us

• There’s the father who got his first job after prison through MaineWorks – and now runs his own landscaping business.
• There’s the young man who was homeless two years ago – now working full-time and training to become a crew lead.
• There’s the woman who struggled with addiction for over a decade – and now shows up early to every shift, six months sober, and smiling every morning.

These stories aren’t rare. They’re everyday occurrences when you believe in people.

How You Can Help

If you’re a business owner, you can hire from us. We’ll handle everything – from onboarding to payroll – and you’ll get dedicated workers who want to prove themselves.

If you’re a community partner, let’s collaborate. Whether you run a recovery house, a re-entry program, or a nonprofit focused on stability, we’d love to find ways to work together.

If you’re just someone who cares – share our story. Tell people about us. Attend our events. Cheer on the people doing the hard work of rebuilding their lives.

We’re Hiring, Too

MaineWorks is growing – and we’re hiring in Portland, Lewiston, Auburn, Augusta, and Bangor. If you or someone you know is looking for a job with dignity, structure, and a team that has your back, we’d love to hear from you.

Because Everyone Deserves a Shot

Second chances are about more than employment. They’re about believing in what’s possible – in people, in communities, and in the idea that change is always within reach.

We’re proud to be part of that journey for hundreds of Mainers – and we’re just getting started.

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