OFS staff, participants, and Sun Prairie elected officials at 1108 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie.

Operation Fresh Start (OFS) held an open house to celebrate the completion of the new affordable home built by participants at 1108 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie on Thursday, July 18.  

“Everything was built from the ground up by our participants minus the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC,” OFS Legacy Construction Supervisor Miles Hegg said. “This house isn’t just about providing an affordable home for someone in need, it is us making an investment in the future of many young adults’ lives in our community,” he said.  

The 3 bed/1 bath, 1,200 sq/ft home is one of four affordable Community Development Block Grant Houses OFS is currently building in Sun Prairie.  

Approximately 75 participants ages 16-24 contributed to the building process of the house. One participant, Peyton Gobeli, worked on the house for nine months.  

Peyton gives a tour to Sun Prairie elected officials.

“There were mistakes we made along the way; however, we learned from them and finished what we started,” Peyton said. “Now it’s done, about to be put on the market, and that, to me, just feels amazing.” 

Some participants, including Keyante Campbell, recently graduated from the Legacy program and came back to join OFS in the celebration. 

“When I look at this house, I don’t see just a supervisor telling us what to do,” Keyante said. “I see a family working together to build something for the next generation of somebody to live here, and I’m thankful to be a part of that.”  

Sun Prairie Mayor Paul Esser talks about the impact of affordable housing.

Four New Directors

Operation Fresh Start (OFS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of four new director positions within the organization. This marks a significant step forward in our mission to empower emerging adults in our community. The new directors bring a combined wealth of experience and dedication, having collectively spent 22 years at OFS before earning their promotions. 

Joining the leadership team is Jasmine Banks, Deputy Director of Empowerment and Strategic Initiatives; Karen Pritchard, Director of Finance and Operations; Cory Rich, Director of Legacy and Conservation; and Steve Gardner, Director of Build Academy and Construction. They will work alongside Development Director Jody Weyers and Executive Director Brian McMahon, forming a dynamic six-person team poised to propel OFS forward.  

(L-R) Jasmine Banks, Karen Pritchard, Cory Rich, Steve Gardner

OFS Attends Sun Prairie Chamber Grand Re-opening

The Chamber included a plaque on its wall in the new conference room of a photo of OFS Build Academy participants with Executive Director Christina Williams before the demolition process.

Goodman Community Center's TEENworks visits OFS

EUA Bike Ride

We are thrilled and honored to be one of three benefitting charities for EUA's Beyond Design Bike Tour (BDBT)! The event will take place on Wednesday, August 14^th, 2024 at Chivaree Park in Ixonia, WI.

You can support OFS by signing up to ride. Bikers can choose from routes spanning 20, 37, and 70 miles. Additionally, there is an option to sign up to be a ride sponsor.

Funds raised from the event will be allocated to the three benefitting charities: Operation Fresh Start, Journey House Construction and Design Academy, and Valley Kids Foundation.

To sign up, click the link below!

Pictured above: Operation Fresh Start staff manning an aid station for the 2019 Beyond Design Bike Tour when OFS was a charity partner for the first time and awarded over $20,000 from the proceeds.

OFS Block Party!

🎓 Academy Graduations 🎓

Congratulations to Bryan Hernandez on graduating from OFS Build Academy!

Bryan has signed with C.D. Smith Construction and joined the Laborers International Union of America, Laborers Local 464!  

“Bryan was only in Build Academy for five weeks,” Build Academy Program Coordinator Faith Neumann said. “C.D. Smith came to do mock interviews for our young people, and they liked Bryan so much that they called him the next day and offered him a job.”  

Bryan started with C.D. Smith on July 1 as a union laborer, and a representative from C.D. Smith said, “he’s already been great” and has had "great reviews from the guys in the field.” 

In addition to Build Academy, Bryan also graduated from OFS’s Legacy program in 2020.  

“Bryan was on my first crew,” Legacy Construction Supervisor Miles Hegg said. “This young man has drive. The guy is motivated. He’s got an incredible work ethic.” 

Congratulations to Nathan Slavek on graduating from OFS Conservation Academy!

Nathan is heading to Flagstaff, Arizona, to work for the American Conservation Experience (ACE) in the Grand Canyon!

“He always had a very clear vision of his goal, where he wants to end up, and he’s taking the right steps to get there,” Conservation Academy Supervisor Jake Norman said. “He worked to earn his certification and a Federal Wildland Firefighter Type 2.”

In his seven months in Conservation Academy, Nathan also earned his pre-apprenticeship certification in Conservation and Urban Forestry from the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards and a Conservation Academy Gear Scholarship, which he used to purchase a backpack and sleeping bag for his work in the Grand Canyon.



Jake emphasized that he’s proud of everything Nathan accomplished at OFS and of all the things he will achieve in Arizona.

“You’re going to be meeting new people from all over the country, coming from all sorts of backgrounds,” Jake said. “You’re going to be learning new skills, new jobs, and you’re going to be working in a natural environment that is about as radically different from Southern Wisconsin as you could get.

“These things will certainly bring a set of challenges, but I have no doubt that you’ll be able to overcome those.”

While he'll collect seeds and clear trails in the short term, his long-term goal is to be a wildland firefighter.



Good luck in the Grand Canyon, Nathan!

🎓 Legacy Graduations 🎓

Congratulations to Ethan Moore for graduating from the OFS Legacy program yesterday and earning his high school diploma from Madison Metropolitan School District!

Ethan’s supervisor, Taylor, had plenty of nice things to say about him at his graduation.

“Ethan was always looking for ways to improve himself and was someone who would never complain about the work he’s doing,” she said. “Once you have a conversation with Ethan, you will discover what a caring and kind-hearted man Ethan is.”

Ethan said he was grateful for the people at OFS for helping him find a better future for himself.

“I’ve met a lot of great people who have taught me everything I know,” Ethan said. “I see the bright future that OFS has given me. I loved the conservation work and getting to make the world a better place. Learning all that would have been non-existent without the people at OFS.”

In addition to his diploma, he earned an AmeriCorps Education Award for higher education and an Apprenticeship Readiness Training Certificate from the State of Wisconsin in Conservation and Urban Forestry. He works as a window washing technician at Clearview Window Washing LLC. Congrats again, Ethan, and keep up the hard work!

Congratulations to Angel Castro for graduating from our Legacy program yesterday, earning his high school diploma from Madison Metropolitan School District!

Angel’s supervisor, Tom, said that he was shy and quiet when he came to OFS, but grew immensely in his time here.

“You’ve got a good sense of drive, a taste of what hard work looks like,” Tom said.

Tom added that he always saw Angel’s smile when he talked about cooking for his family and how much he loved taking care of his mom.

“I’ve seen you take on these responsibilities all the while looking to the future to ensure you will be able to provide for your family, asking all the hows and whys of the process of life, then pushing forward to get things done,” Tom said. “You are planning your future to be successful, and you will because you already are.”

Angel reflected on his time at OFS. “I want to thank everybody at OFS for helping me accomplish all the things I did while I was here,” Angel said.

“Every day wasn’t easy, but I got through it.”

Another Legacy Supervisor, Taylor, shared that Angel was “so delightful to work with on-site and that he was “really hard working and never complained.”

In recognition of his community service as an AmeriCorps member, Angel earned an AmeriCorps Education Award for further education. He also earned his pre-apprenticeship readiness training certificate in carpentry. 

Angel intends to go to barber school to work towards opening his own barber shop. Congrats again, Angel, and keep up the hard work!

Welcome new OFS staff

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