YouthBuild Convening attendees and YouthBuild USA Board Members toured an OFS construction site at 1104 and 1108 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie.

Operation Fresh Start (OFS) welcomed attendees of the 2024 YouthBuild Midwest Regional Convening to Madison on June 20-21 where more than 60 people shared best practices, resources, and strategies to support the young people they serve. OFS was honored to host the convening in partnership with YouthBuild USA, a nonprofit support center for over 280 YouthBuild programs nationwide. The first day began on the campus of UW-Madison with John Valverde, CEO of YouthBuild USA, addressing attendees and a day full of training. Day Two started with a construction site visit for attendees and YouthBuild USA board members with learning sessions at OFS in the afternoon. 

YouthBuild programs are for young adults between the ages of 16-24 who are neither in school nor employed to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership. Responding to the urgent need for knowledge, training, and opportunity, YouthBuild primarily serves young people who lack a high school diploma and financial resources.  

A highlight for attendees was touring a home that OFS participants are building from the ground up in Sun Prairie. YouthBuild USA Board Vice Chair Kathy Witsil was one of the attendees on the tour. 

“I’m super impressed with the management of both the leaders and the participants through the various programs at OFS," Kathy said. “To have projects like this where they gain those skills are very important, as well as having supervisors that value the education as much as the skills.” 

One OFS participant, Dez, spoke on the tour about his experience building the house. He talked about the great working environment and that he wasn’t afraid to make mistakes when learning new skills. He also referred to his crew as his “family” and how they care for one another. 

“What I love about him is his enthusiasm in the work he’s doing and the attitude he carries,” Kathy said. “He sees this as a learning opportunity and isn’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from it. That is one of the biggest lessons in life.” 

She praised OFS as "one of the most robust programs I’ve ever seen,” while adding that she loves the many different programs and pathways in addition to construction for participants to find their passion. 

(L-R) OFS Executive Director Brian McMahon, YouthBuild USA CEO John Valverde, and OFS Deputy Director for Empowerment & Strategic Initiatives Jasmine Banks at UW-Madison for the YouthBuild Midwest Regional Convening.

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 or you can contribute to the BDBT Silent Auction.

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. Funds from the auction will directly benefit the organization providing the item. 

If you are interested in becoming involved and supporting Operation Fresh Start, click the button below to sign up. If you have a silent auction item you would like to donate, contact Nina Zarrillo, Development Specialist, at nzarrillo@operationfreshstart.org

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.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Visit

We were thrilled to host part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service two-day regional meeting on June 4, which included staff from the Madison, Green Bay, and Twin Cities field offices. The meeting's theme was "connecting with our communities by leading with our values." Fish & Wildlife staff had the wonderful opportunity to see our partnership with Dane County Parks and brainstorm how they can replicate it. In addition, our Conservation Academy held a Q&A with Fish & Wildlife staff to form connections and discuss potential career paths and internships.

Welcome Summer Trades Academy!

We welcomed seven new participants, ages 18-24, interested in learning more about the trades through the OFS and WRTP/BIG STEP six-week 2024 Summer Trades Academy! These participants will learn all about construction and earn career-related certifications while receiving job-site experience. The program follows North America's Building Trades Unions curriculum, which includes math, financial literacy, first aid CPR, OSHA 10 training, DEI training, and Accuplacer testing. This program is possible thanks to our great partnership with BIG STEP!

Community Partnerships

🎓 Legacy Graduation 🎓

Congratulations to Jakob for graduating from our Legacy program and earning his high school diploma from the Waunakee Community School District!

Jakob’s supervisor, Ian, told Jakob that he “taught me as much about being a supervisor as I taught him about conservation.”

“He was a hard worker out on site,” Ian said. “He would hold others accountable on the crew for slacking off. He was a solid team member and is leaving a hole that is yet to be filled. I expect nothing but great things for him in his future.”

Jakob thanked Ian and his teachers for helping him not just succeed out on site, but also with math and earning his driver’s license. He works at Kwik Trip and The Home Depot and hopes to get a plumbing apprenticeship in the fall.

Jakob also earned a pre-apprenticeship readiness training certificate in conservation/urban forestry and an AmeriCorps Education Award of more than $2,400 for higher education.

Welcome new OFS staff

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