WE ARE A
STAFFING AGENCY
ON A MISSION
By providing job opportunities and peer coaching to everyone, WorkingFields:
· Empowers individuals to address systemic barriers
· Supports employers by developing the workforce
· Enriches and strengthens the local community
This person-first approach takes staffing to the next level.
It’s also built into our business: we are a Benefit Corporation and reinvest the majority of our profits into our mission. This ensures sustainability, increases our impact, and promotes the fulfillment of our goals.
· Empowers individuals to address systemic barriers
· Supports employers by developing the workforce
· Enriches and strengthens the local community
This person-first approach takes staffing to the next level.
It’s also built into our business: we are a Benefit Corporation and reinvest the majority of our profits into our mission. This ensures sustainability, increases our impact, and promotes the fulfillment of our goals.
MEET OUR STAFF
OUR
VISION
VISION
All humans have limitless potential, but not all have the same opportunities. Inclusive staffing increases access to employment andpromotes diverse, equitable workplaces. Peer support provides hope to people who have experienced trauma or injustice.
We combine these tools to give any individual their best chance atbuilding a meaningful life that includes employment, connection, and belief in themselves as productive members of the community.
We combine these tools to give any individual their best chance atbuilding a meaningful life that includes employment, connection, and belief in themselves as productive members of the community.
OUR
VALUES
VALUES
Working Fields was founded on the belief that change is possible. People who have made mistakes, yet taken responsibility and acted to improve their lives deserve a true chance to succeed.
We built on that core belief to define five guiding principles:
1. Equity in Action
2. Gratitude
3. Humility and Honesty
4. Love
5. Stability
As an organization, we are constantly learning. While we help people overcome barriers, we are also committed to understanding and navigating the systems of oppression that shape our world.
We built on that core belief to define five guiding principles:
1. Equity in Action
2. Gratitude
3. Humility and Honesty
4. Love
5. Stability
As an organization, we are constantly learning. While we help people overcome barriers, we are also committed to understanding and navigating the systems of oppression that shape our world.
PEER COACHING
Our highly-trained peer coaches and our evidence-based model are the keys to our success.
Peer coaching is a strengths-based supportive relationship. It’s not therapy– it’s a weekly conversation with a peer who may have had similar life experiences and is trained in skills like motivational interviewing. Coaches help individuals set goals, connect with resources, and make progress in areas like relationships, education, and recovery.
One job seeker shared: “My coach allowed me to see things from a newperspective.”
Peer coaching is a strengths-based supportive relationship. It’s not therapy– it’s a weekly conversation with a peer who may have had similar life experiences and is trained in skills like motivational interviewing. Coaches help individuals set goals, connect with resources, and make progress in areas like relationships, education, and recovery.
One job seeker shared: “My coach allowed me to see things from a newperspective.”
MY RECOVERY STORY
MICKEY WILES | FOUNDER & CEO
- I CAME TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS IN RECOVERY BY WAY OF MY OWN RECOVERY
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In my past is a 20-year history of substance use addiction, from the age of 14 until 34, when I finally sought treatment to stop abusing substances. Yet recovery is so much more than just getting clean. True recovery involves working on all aspects of your life, and I had not yet taken those deeper steps.
Ignoring the underlying issues of my substance abuse and addiction led to a string of poor decisions with serious consequences to myself and my loved ones. My choices led to a two-year sentence in federal prison for mail fraud (which is a fancy way of saying that I stole money from the company I was working for). - MY CHOICES LEAD TO DEFEAT AND THEN SURRENDER
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Making poor decisions doesn’t mean that I didn’t have a conscience. In fact, I was aware that my actions were wrong, and stealing the money was eating me alive. But at the time I didn’t have the strength to turn myself in. Instead, I did what many alcoholics or addicts would do, and just moved on, hoping that walking away would be the secret to curbing my behavior. I was tired of living a double life and didn’t really care if I got caught.
The good news is that I did get caught, several months later. This brought me to the point of total surrender. - RECOVERY IS PROGRESSIVE AND LIFE-LONG
- My intensive recovery journey restarted the day that everything came crashing down. Because I already had previous experience in AA and with counseling, I knew what I had to do. It took nearly two years to begin my prison sentence and by that time I was living out a renewed life of recovery. Yet recovery is a process, not a moment, and even though I had made many changes, it wasn’t until two years later when a friend in prison challenged me over a seemingly small decision that I saw the depths of what my recovery required.
- ONE PIECE OF UNCUT FRUIT
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We were leaving the mess hall, where I had accepted another inmate’s unwanted piece of fruit. As we headed to our cells, my friend stopped me. The prison’s rule was that each inmate may only take one piece of uncut fruit. I had two. But it was no big deal--everybody did it--I reminded him. He looked at me and asked, why are you here? I stopped cold. Stealing. I was in prison for stealing.
My friend reminded me that I of all people should know that breaking this rule was a slippery slope to justifying my choices. His words had a lasting impact on me. That day I made a decision to live by the motto: one piece of uncut fruit. I knew I wouldn’t be perfect, but I wanted to start with a guiding premise that would lead me to complete honesty and truly learning from my mistakes. - GRATEFUL FOR MY SECOND CHANCE
- The second chance I have been given to overcome my obstacles and walk the path of long-term recovery into a new life is a gift, which I strive to pay forward to others. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to use the lessons I’ve learned to help others who need a second chance after a life of addiction or criminal convictions stemming from past mistakes.