September 2024 ♥ Thank you for reading and click here to support! | |
Hundreds attend Block Party! | |
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OFS and Reach Dane’s Community Resource Block Party on Thursday, August 29, was a tremendous success, with about 300 people in attendance!
The event brought together neighbors, families, and local organizations to celebrate community, enjoy great food, and access valuable resources in the parking lots of OFS and Reach Dane. From delicious meals by Melly Mell’s Soul Food and fresh vegetables and smoothies from Rooted to a bike giveaway from Bikes For Kids and a bounce house slide, the block party truly had something for everyone. We had 32 kids sign up for a free bike!
Another highlight was the mobile dental unit from La Familia Dental, sponsored by M3 Insurance. This unit offered free dental exams, ensuring families had access to important health services. The dental clinic was utilized by 15 people, nine of whom were OFS participants.
Thank you to everyone who attended and made this first event a huge success! Next year's block party is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, 2025!
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A community member receiving a free dental exam at
OFS courtesy of La Familia Dental's mobile unit.
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Alumni in the Community: Two Degrees of Separation | |
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We're excited to introduce Two Degrees of Separation: a new column dedicated to showcasing the incredible journeys of OFS alumni who are making a difference in the community. In each edition, we'll highlight the personal stories of those who have gone through OFS programs, sharing their achievements, challenges, and the ways they continue to give back.
At OFS, the bonds formed here extend beyond graduation. Our alumni are leaders, creators, and changemakers, contributing meaningfully to the fabric of Dane County. Through Two Degrees of Separation, we aim to celebrate these connections and illustrate the lasting impact OFS has on individuals and the communities they serve, as well as highlight that people in Dane County are within two degrees (versus six) away from an OFS connection. Stay tuned for inspiring profiles and stories of perseverance, success, and community-building.
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In 2011, Santiago "Santi" Teniente embarked on a journey that would shape his career. For the past 13 years, he has worked at Sergenian’s Floor Coverings, starting as an apprentice and progressing through the ranks to become a foreman.
Over the years, Santi completed a four-year apprenticeship, spent three years as a journeyman, and has been a foreman for the last six years, overseeing projects and ensuring they are done to perfection.
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Monica Mims, a proud graduate of Operation Fresh Start (OFS) in 1999, has forged an impressive career as a Marketing Professional, dedicating over a decade to American Family Insurance and currently contributing her expertise to Alliant Energy’s External Communications team.
Monica's connection to OFS is deeply personal; both her twin sister and older sister participated in the program. After facing challenges during her high school years, she recognized that OFS could provide the support she needed.
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Urban Tree Alliance Partnership | |
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This summer, OFS Legacy Conservation Supervisor Taylor and her crew have spent several weeks planting and maintaining young trees in areas throughout the City of Madison Engineering with the Urban Tree Alliance.
This work was focused near Madison Schools and other areas that lack tree canopy coverage. Tree canopy greatly reduces temperature by providing shade in hotter months, which is vital in urban areas like Madison that retain heat. Thanks to the Urban Tree Alliance for their ongoing partnership with OFS!
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New Drive Program Cohort! | |
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Shoutout to Dennis, OFS Drive Program Coordinator, for successfully launching his first cohort on September 9th!
The cohort consists of 10 dedicated participants who showed exceptional commitment during the interview process, all for the opportunity to earn their 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 topics like insurance, car loans, and what to do if you're 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.
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September 19th was the ribbon cutting and grand opening for the Lakefront Porch Park in Madison.
This project culminates nearly 15 years of work by neighborhood volunteers, district 4 alders, city leaders, and professional organizations that donated their expertise.
These efforts have transformed an underused concrete surface atop a Madison water utility reservoir into an appealing comfortable public space with a view of Lake Monona.
Operation Fresh Start is proud to be part of this incredible project, from building the planter boxes to completing the entire installation with our employment partner JH Findorff!
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(L-R) OFS Build Academy Participant Daniel, Build Academy Supervisor Joe Collins, Build Academy Director Steve Gardner, Executive Director Brian McMahon, and Findorff Assistant Project Manager, Jason Henkins. | |
Seed Collecting with QBE and Hooper! | |
Thank you to QBE North America employees for joining OFS Legacy Conservation Crews on the work site as a way to actively learn more about OFS and the community work our participants do. It was a beautiful day collecting milkweed seeds at McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park in Cottage Grove. | |
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Thank you to Hooper employees for joining OFS Legacy Conservation Crews as a part of your Month of Caring! It was a great day for seed collection at
Schumacher Farm Park in Waunakee.
Why do we collect native seed? The Dane County Parks Native Seed Program focuses on providing seeds for restoration projects within park natural areas. Several hundred acres of prairie, oak savanna, and oak woodland are restored each year, making seed one of the biggest expenses for restoration projects.
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More and more seeds have been collected each year, allowing the use of limited funds to purchase rare seeds that otherwise wouldn't be in new restorations.
Every year, thanks to Dane County Parks volunteers, OFS crews, and additional partners, thousands of pounds of seed are collected, processed, and sown with an estimated value of over $1 million. It’s not easy work, but this is why Dane County has some of the most beautiful parkland in WI!
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Congratulations to Bishop for graduating the OFS Legacy Program and earning his high school diploma from Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District!
From day one, his drive and positive attitude stood out. Even with a long bus ride from Middleton, he showed up ready to succeed.
"I came here with an open mind, as open as my mind could be at the time,” Bishop said. "My biggest issue was taking accountability for my actions. I wasn’t who I wanted to be at the time.”
Through all the challenges, Bishop learned to embrace criticism and foster a growth mindset at OFS. In addition to his diploma, he’s earned his pre-apprenticeship certificate in carpentry and a $2,400 AmeriCorps Education Award for further education!
Next up, he’s set to get his driver’s license and move into his own apartment. He currently works at Metro Market and plans to study graphic design.
“Your positive attitude is something that I really miss,” Legacy Supervisor Miles said. “You care about people. You care about other people’s success. You’re motivated to move forward in life, make positive changes, and live a positive clean, healthy lifestyle.”
Bishop added that he and Miles have been through a lot together and Miles has helped him through his worst moments.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Miles,” Bishop said. “I just want to let him know that all he does goes a long way, and I appreciate it.”
Your dedication to self-growth has been inspiring. We’re excited for your future!
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New Board Member Spotlight! | | |
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Hi everyone! My name is Candace Enis, and I am a Police Officer with the City of Madison. I have been working with the Department since May 2020, with lots of years left. I have worked Patrol since I started, and since May 2023, I have been working in the CORE (Community Outreach Resource Education) Unit. I am the Southside Liaison Officer, and I work specifically with Black kids and kids of color.
My role is to create programming for those kids and provide them with resources when they have experienced/witnessed extreme violence. In my free time, you can find me reading or playing with my kids. I have two kids, a 2-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl.
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Give today, and your generosity will go twice as far! | |
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We are excited to announce that for the sixth consecutive year, the 2nd Market Capital Economic Opportunity Foundation is partnering with Operation Fresh Start to provide a matching gift opportunity.
Their generosity means that every dollar you donate will be matched—doubling the impact of your contribution! All gifts will be matched up to $25,000 now through December 1st.
This is a powerful way to help us empower twice as many emerging adults, ages 16-24, to achieve self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, and employment training.
Thank you for your continued support in building brighter futures!
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Jody Weyers, Development Director, Operation Fresh Start
jweyers@operationfreshstart.org
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Thank you for helping OFS empower emerging adults on their path to self-sufficiency! | |
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