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S P R I N G 2 0 2 5 / W O R K F O R M E 11 minor incidents. "We have to hire through discretion," she said. "We aren't drag-netting. It's more like fly-fishing." Making an impact Zachau Construction in Free- port has used MaineWorks for several years, and typically has half a dozen temporary MaineWorks employees at its job sites at any given time. Over the years, the company has hired more than half a dozen as permanent employees, and currently has two who have worked their way up to fore- men with company vehicles, said Jeff Zachau, CEO. MaineWorks provides an invaluable service for construc- tion companies, who are al- ways in needs of good workers, Zachau said. "I think what Margo's doing is certainly making an impact," said Zachau, whose company has about 50 employees. "I would say a majority of the com- mercial construction sites in the greater Portland area prob- ably have a few MaineWorks employees working on them on any given day." Beyond providing his compa- ny able-bodied workers, Maine- Works also gives Zachau satisfac- tion knowing he's supporting people who need a helping hand. Giving back and being good com- munity partners are among the company's core values. "We work very well with Margo and MaineWorks, and it certainly aligns with what we believe — in doing good," he said. Lary, 44, moved back to his hometown of Hartland after leaving the halfway house in Portland last year. But he's still employed by MaineWorks, working for a construction company on a large project in Norridgewock. MaineWorks also helped land a job for his 20-year-old son — who recently became a father and is in recovery — on the same project. Every day, Lary drives himself and his son to and from the work site. As grateful as he is for the job and other support he has received from MaineWorks, he's also thankful for the hope and sense of belonging it has brought him. What stood out for him as much as anything when he was still in the halfway house were the so-called "circles" that Maine- Works holds each week. Every Friday at 6 a.m., MaineWorks employees get together around a fire pit behind the MaineWorks offices to share stories and build relationships. Walsh usually leads the gatherings. "It is awesome. Even if you've had a stressful week or some- thing, I've never left there with- out having a smile on my face," he said. "Margo was usually there and gives a little speech, everybody gets to know each other a little bit, hear each oth- ers' testimony sometimes. It's overwhelming." n Consigli Construction Co., Inc. | Construction Managers & General Contractors | consigli.com Building Maine's Most Complex Projects #1 Best Place to Work in Maine 3 Years Running JOIN OUR TEAM! C o n s t r u c t i o n / T r a d e s I think what Margo's doing is certainly making an impact. — Jeff Zachau

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