Join us for the Women in Construction Career Fair! 

Madison Board of Education Candidate Forum

Join us on March 18 for an important Candidate Forum featuring candidates for the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Board of Education. Hosted by Operation Fresh Start, this event provides an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to guide the future of our public schools.

The forum will include Martha Siravo and Bret Wagner, candidates for Seat 3, who are vying to replace outgoing board clerk Laura Simkin as well as incumbents Nichelle Nichols (Seat 5) and Ali Janae Muldrow (Seat 4), who are running uncontested.

📅 Date: Monday, March 18

⏰ Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM

📍 Location: Operation Fresh Start, 2670 Milwaukee Street, Madison, WI

Additionally, doors open at 2:30 PM for a tour of OFS prior to the forum.

Candidates will answer pre-determined questions, with 60-90 seconds to respond to each. The forum is open to the public and media, offering a chance to learn more about the candidates' priorities and vision for MMSD.

We invite students, parents, educators, and community members to attend and engage in this important conversation about the future of education in Madison.

OFS Attends Governor Evers' Biennial Budget Address

OFS was honored to be invited to Governor Tony Evers' 2025-27 Biennial Budget Address at the Capitol last night!

OFS Executive Director Brian McMahon and Jay Corona, an OFS Legacy and Build Academy Graduate, were in attendance. Jay is in his third year of a carpentry apprenticeship with JP Cullen. 

CareerPoint Launches Healthcare Cohort

We couldn't have asked for a better way to launch the 2025 CareerPoint Healthcare cohort than with UW Health, alongside Travis Ramage, Organizational Development Consultant, and Kelly Bangs, Career Pathways Coordinator.

Our five young professionals gained valuable insights into the importance of cultivating strength and growth mindsets, setting meaningful goals, and understanding their DISC assessment results. DISC is a powerful tool that helps individuals identify their personality types and develop strategies for effectively collaborating with their teams.

CareerPoint is dedicated to preparing young professionals ages 18-24 for success and guiding them into career-track employment. CareerPoint is built in partnership with local training providers and employers as a bridge for young people to explore and get into high-demand industries.

Learn new concepts and strengthen your skills in this six-week professional development training while earning a stipend! Once participants feel confident and ready to implement those new skills in the workforce, they will engage in additional training hosted by one of our community partners and have the ability to interview for open positions within our employment partners. Every step of the way, participants are supported by their employer and CareerPoint team.

First Drive Cohort of 2025

Our first Drive Program Cohort of the new year launched Monday, February 10!

This cohort consists of 11 participants committed to attaining their learner's permits and driver's licenses.

The OFS Drive program, in partnership with 4 Lakes Driving School, follows a structured curriculum that covers the five stages of Driver's Education. This includes:

• Eight two-hour class meetings
• Studying and passing the learner’s permit test
• Five behind-the-wheel lessons
• Taking the road test until participants pass and receive their driver's licenses

Beyond driving skills, we also bring in local collaborators to teach participants essential life skills related to driving and car ownership. Experts from the Madison Police Department, UW Credit Union, and American Family Insurance share valuable insights on insurance, car loans, and what to do if pulled over.

The Drive Program is available at no cost to young adults aged 18-24 in Dane County, combining free driver's education with career exploration opportunities.

OFS Conservation Academy Tackles Salt Pollution in Starkweather Creek

OFS Conservation Academy is taking action to protect our waterways through a partnership with the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC), the City of Madison Engineering, and the State Cartographer’s Office by monitoring and reducing chloride pollution caused by excessive salt use.

On February 12, our Conservation Academy braved the snowy, cold weather to check monitoring equipment and install a new sensor to track real-time salt levels in the creek. 

Chloride pollution in Starkweather Creek—which flows into Lake Monona—has been a growing concern. Salt used on roads and sidewalks doesn’t break down over time; it accumulates in our water, threatening aquatic life and drinking water.

How can you help?

• Use only the salt you need (1 coffee mug of salt covers a 20-foot driveway)
• Sweep up excess before it washes into storm drains
• Shovel first—salt works better on thin layers of ice or snow

We’re proud of our young conservation leaders for protecting our environment and making a real impact in our community! Together, we can keep our waters clean.

Link below to check out NBC15's coverage of the project.

Thank you Jaeckle Distributors!

We express our thanks to Jaeckle Distributors for generously donating flooring and tiling for our current Build Academy home project at 1088 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie! 🏠✨

Thanks to your support, Joe’s Build Academy crew is gaining hands-on experience while creating a beautiful, high-quality home for a future homeowner.

Your generosity not only enhances this build but also empowers our young adults with the skills they need for successful careers in construction. 💪🔨

We’re so grateful for your continued generosity and partnership!

Thank you Green Standards!

A big thank you goes out to Green Standards for their generous donation of tables and chairs for our newly expanded space!

Thanks to their support, our new rooms from the OFS expansion we recently highlighted are fully equipped and ready to serve the next generation of young adults in our programs.

This donation helps create a welcoming, functional environment where participants can learn, grow, and build their futures.

We are so grateful for this partnership and commitment to sustainability!

🎓 Legacy Graduations 🎓

Congratulations to Jeremiah on graduating from Legacy and receiving his high school diploma! 

On February 13, we celebrated Jeremiah's incredible journey and achievements at OFS as he received his diploma from the Madison Metropolitan School District! 

We proudly recognized Jeremiah for his hard work, dedication, and incredible growth during his time at Operation Fresh Start.

Over the past 10 months, he has built skills, overcome challenges, and stayed committed to his goals—and now, he’s confidently stepping into his future!

"Every day, you took care of not just getting yourself here but taking care of all the business you had in the classroom and on the work site." OFS Outreach Specialist Greg Miller said. "The commitment to getting it done, to moving yourself forward, will serve you very, very well in the future."

In addition to his diploma, Jeremiah earned a pre-apprenticeship certificate in carpentry and an AmeriCorps Education Award for his YouthBuild Global service.

Jeremiah said this experience has helped him grow and step up in many ways.

"I’ve learned a lot through this whole process and I appreciate everything," he said.

Jeremiah also accepted a job as a maintenance electrician with Weidner Apartment Homes!

Congratulations Jeremiah. We can’t wait to see how you continue to grow!

Congratulations to Kaliyah on graduating from Legacy and receiving her high school diploma! 

On February 20, we celebrated Kaliyah's incredible journey and achievements at OFS as she received her diploma from the Madison Metropolitan School District! 

From her first days in the program—braving freezing rain and pushing past doubts—to mastering new skills, Kaliyah has grown in confidence, independence, and perseverance. Her hard work has paid off, and we couldn't be more proud of her journey.

"Kaliyah demonstrated excellent communication and a strong commitment to her attendance," her conservation supervisor, Taylor, said. "I watched as she gained confidence in herself. I remember when she told me that she couldn't use the brush cutter because it was too intimidating. "By the end of her term, she was using a brush cutter without a problem, and she actually enjoyed it.”

"She is one of the most caring people I have ever met," Kaliyah said about Taylor. "She is very understanding, and I could talk to her about anything. Taylor makes it easy and very comfortable for us as well. She makes it easy to get through the hard days when we have to work through the rain, the hot days, and through the snow."

In addition to her diploma, Kaliyah earned a pre-apprenticeship certificate in carpentry and an AmeriCorps Education Award for her service in The Corps Network.

Kaliyah, your dedication, strength, and persistence inspire us all. We can’t wait to see where your next chapter takes you!

New Staff

Nicole Knox she/her -

CareerPoint Coordinator

I worked a variety of jobs and eventually went back to school at 27, where I was able to get a bachelor's degree in Social Work. I have since been in HR, case management, and social work. My most recent work has been as a job recruiter for the last four years.

I have a son who is my whole heart and two French bulldogs. My son and I travel the world to encounter exotic wildlife first-hand including rhinos, giraffes, sloths, elephants, and so many more!

We thrive on experiencing the variety of cultures around us. I also enjoy hiking, anything related to water, and cooking.

Alumni Connection Survey

Operation Fresh Start is working on creating an alumni network so that past and present OFS participants can be more connected. If you are an OFS alum please fill out the short survey linked below!

Spring Into Giving with Our Amazon Wish List

As the season of renewal begins, you can help young adults at Operation Fresh Start bloom! Our Amazon Spring Wish List is filled with essential items that support education, job training, and personal growth for our participants.

Every donation—big or small—makes a direct impact! From work gear to classroom supplies, your generosity helps pave the way for their success.

Shop & Give Today!

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