STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER
Forward Motion
Working Fields provides invaluable support for people recovering from substance use disorder through their staffing services and recovery coaching programs
When Stuart “ Mickey ” Wiles founded Working Fields in November 2016 , his aim was to create a mission-driven staffing agency that would help people in recovery from substance use disorder ( SUD ) find purpose and stability in their lives through gainful employment . As a person in long-term recovery , Wiles deeply understood the difficulties that people recovering from SUD faced while attempting to join the workforce . By working closely with people in early recovery and addressing the underlying issues that prevent them from achieving long-term professional success , Wiles and his dedicated team of recovery coaches and staff members have been able to make an incredibly positive impact on their lives .
Working Fields has built strong relationships with dozens of small and large businesses throughout the state of Vermont and beyond over the past five years , and now has five separate offices in South Burlington , St . Albans , Rutland , Springfield , and Manchester , New Hampshire . The staff and coaches at Working Fields don ’ t just help people in recovery from SUD overcome the barriers that impede them from employment – they also help them to develop the self-sufficiency and executive function skills necessary to ensure continued success in recovery .
According to Wiles , most of the individuals who come to Working Fields are referred to them by other agencies , such as recovery centers , recovery houses , or parole and probation officers . Individuals who find employment through Working Fields are referred to as “ Associates ” and remain on the Working Fields payroll while on temporary assignment at their jobs . Once referred to Working Fields , every Associate begins a thorough evaluation process . “ When we start working with our Associates , we pair them with an Account Manager and a Recovery Coach , and we do what ’ s referred to as a ‘ self-sufficiency matrix ,’” says Wiles . Wiles explains that a “ self-sufficiency matrix ” is a selfassessment that covers 19 different domains , including housing , transportation , education , mental health , physical health , wellness , and relationships . Associates evaluate themselves on a one-to-five scale as to where they see themselves in terms of those domains – “ one ” being stable and “ five ” being in crisis . According to Wiles , “ The only way recovery is truly successful is if the individual has the ability to recognize that they have a problem and the willingness to deal with it .”
Once potential stressors and issues are identified , the Working Fields Account Managers and Recovery Coaches work with Associates to solve their problems and develop effective plans to navigate future challenges . If additional resources are needed , such as therapy or counseling , the Working Fields staff helps to connect Associates with outside organizations . They also work directly with employers to create seamless pathways to employment for their Associates regardless of their personal histories .
“ Our primary aim is to support people with barriers to employment ,” says Wiles . “ Some of our Associates have criminal histories , which can be a very difficult barrier to overcome . Many of our Associates with criminal records have been rejected several times after filing job applications due to their past offenses , which often makes them lose confidence . We work with employers to remove that potential barrier .”
Whenever Working Fields forms a partnership with a new employer , they sit down and have an honest conversation with them so that they can gain a full understanding of the level of tolerance that the employer has for certain criminal convictions . Wiles elaborates : “ An employer might have contracts with organizations where they can ’ t hire felons in a particular area , and we want to be aware of that . We want to understand who they can hire . Some employers only hire people with misdemeanors . Others are willing to hire convicted felons . Once we
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