COVID-19 Update
Missoula Works is still running (hiring, running our labor crew etc.). Job seekers: we are currently scheduling intakes by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at (406) 926-3400 or email alison@missoulaworks.com. Note that we ask all clients to wear a cloth face cover when they attend their appointment.
Our Services
A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. – Christopher Reeve
Get It Done
Our ready to work Get It Done Crew can take care of the honey-do list that’s been building up at your house! Designed to provide one-on-one support for employees while simultaneously teaching them hard skills needed for a labor crew.
Temporary Staffing
Through partnerships with local agencies, we are able to place employees at external agencies, temporarily hired through us with the end goal being permanent employment at their placement agency.
Mama's Promise
Mama’s Promise is a jewelry line venture between Missoula Works and Family Promise. It gives mothers with newborns experiencing homelessness a creative outlet and an opportunity to earn income.
Who We Are
Our Vision
Missoula Works is a wholly owned-for-profit subsidiary of the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative organization. Missoula Works was founded in 2016, and our mission is to provide employment opportunities, both temporary and permanent, for the long-term unemployed in the Missoula community. All proceeds directly support Missoula Interfaith Collaborative.
Our Goals
- Empower leadership through training and employment opportunities.
- Create a pathway for employment for those who have otherwise faced barriers to being employed.
- Provide support in other areas to help ensure success in both personal and professional life.
Why Missoula Works?
V.
Values
It is important to us that everyone within our organization can work on, improve on, and uphold the following important values that are extremely valuable in not only getting and keeping employment, but also in other walks of life:
- Professionalism
- Conflict Management
- Time Management
- Communication
- Team Building
M.
Mission
Missoula Works aims to maximize social impact by working with those who have experienced barriers to employment, specifically homelessness and low income. Through a supportive and professional environment we provide the guidance and job skills needed to secure quality employment and begin working toward professional success.
S.
Support
With our Job Support Specialists paired up with our employees, we excel at working with individuals at all levels of experience, skill and background. Our staffing agency trains, places and supports qualified people with socially responsible employers. New employees are provided with soft skill training and hard skill training through our Get it Done work program.
C.
Community
Missoula Works values our community partners immensely. Building relationships with different people and agencies throughout the community helps us to have more employment opportunities for people, become better known, and ultimately make a bigger social impact.
Our Team
Paige Pavalone
Executive Director
Originally from the Endless Mountain region of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Paige attended East Stroudsburg University where she obtained bachelor’s degrees in both Political Science and Communication Studies. Paige served as a research assistant in Ghana, West Africa at that time studying women grassroots political participation. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2004. Paige then moved to Missoula Montana and attended graduate school at the University of Montana, studying International Relations. Between 2007 and 2015 Paige worked in law enforcement and focused on areas including Cadet training, Search and Rescue operations and Public Information. In 2015, Paige worked as a contractor for Missoula Economic Partnership and the Missoula Airline Revenue Guarantee. In 2016 Paige took a position of Executive Director at Missoula Works where she continues to test new lines of revenue and expand employment opportunities to marginalized Missoulians. Paige and her partner, Cody, enjoy spending time fishing and camping with their three awesome girls, Delaney, 13, Makenna, 12 and Francesca, 5.
Steve Brester
Operations Manager, Job Support Specialist
Steve is a native Missoulian and attended the University of Montana. He began a career in the grocery business, and after several years worked toward becoming a law enforcement officer. Steve was hired by the Missoula Police Department in 1992 where he enjoyed a 20 year career. He was forced to retire due to a wreck in which he sustained back injuries. As a result, he became addicted to painkillers. This addiction led to criminal behavior and Steve is now a convicted felon. The criminal behavior has led to barriers to employment as felonies are difficult to get past for potential employers. Steve found Missoula Works through his probation officer and began as a volunteer. This led to Steve being hired as Operations Manager, where he can again be productive in his community and make a difference in people’s lives. Steve and his wife have three grown children and three grandchildren. Steve enjoys motorcycle riding and spending time with his family.
Todd Solinger
Get It Done Crew Lead
For over 30 years, Todd struggled with drug and alcohol use. After losing his kids to the state in 2017, Todd immediately sought out recovery and explored options in order to get his kids back. He did this through attending NA, AA, Anger Management, therapy, parenting classes, and more. A year ago, Todd came into the Missoula Works office seeking employment and he left with a job and some direction for housing. By June of 2018, Todd was working as a Get It Done Crew Lead, was accepted into the Family Promise program, and got his kids back. This past January, his CPS case was closed in entirety. His kids are doing very well, his family is proud, and he says he’s become a much better person!
Grace Benasutti
Jesuit Volunteer, Job Support Specialist
Grace is a Jesuit Volunteer and works with Missoula Works and the Housing Advocate Network as part of the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative. She grew up in the small town of Ridgway, Colorado and attended the University of San Diego from 2014-2018. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Psychology, and moved from Southern California to Missoula in August of 2018 to pursue her desire to work in the non-profit/social service world. She has an immense love for the outdoors, seasons, art, and good food and company!
Paul Greenwood
Get It Done Crew Manager
Paul is a Wisconsin native who has called Montana home since his family moved to Polson over 30 years ago. Born into Packer fandom and raised on a dairy farm, he loves all things cheese, beer, and bratwurst. Paul has been part of our Missoula business community since 1999, involved in all aspects of business, but spending most of his time in sales and operations development, in many industries including manufacturing, distribution, retail, and business startups. In addition he has a plethora of skills with operating tools and equipment, which he attributes to farm life and watching over his father’s shoulder. He brings over 20 years of experience in the System Integration industry including, whole home automation, lighting, audio, video, and networking. Anyone who has known Paul for more than 10 minutes knows that his two passions are people and service. He is currently ‘surviving’ as the father of two teenage boys Dean and Jack, and is proud to watch their own hearts for service grow. You will typically find him doing his best to love our great city. He serves as a Deacon at All Souls Missoula, a collaborating partner in the Missoula Public House, and serves on the Board of Directors for Imagine Missoula., where he enjoys volunteering regularly, helping care for some of those who are most at-risk in our city.
James Hogan
Board President
Casey Dunning
Board Officer
Matt Roberge
Board Officer
Stephon Smith
Board Officer
Get Involved!
Are you interested in applying for a job with us, partnering with us, signing up for our newsletter, or have inquiries?
We always have space for more people to join our team, whether it be informing you as a community member or formally partnering with us or seeking employment. Provide us with your contact information and let us know your reason for reaching out, and we will be in touch with you shortly!
Job Seekers
Start your journey to long-term employment with Missoula Works today!
- Complete the Missoula Works application, W4, and I-9. Print and fill out the application beforehand or complete one at our office.
- If you are unable to print the application and would like to complete it beforehand, please fill out the MW_app_fillable document below and send it to alison@missoulaworks.com.
- Visit our office to complete the in-person intake with a Missoula Works job support specialist. Come during our business hours or contact us to schedule an appointment.
- If you have valid ID, please bring this along when you do the intake.
Get In Touch!
We are looking forward to working with you!
Are you interested in working for us, scheduling the Get It Done Crew, getting involved, or signing up for our newsletter? Give us a call or send us an email to get in touch with us.