Three New Stories,
One Shared Mission
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We’re excited to launch three new videos produced by Clouds North Films that bring the impact of Operation Fresh Start to life through the voices and experiences of the young people, staff, and community partners who make this work possible. From the lasting impact of our Legacy Program to the career pathways created through CareerPoint's Early Childhood Education program and future growth opportunities, these stories highlight the determination and opportunity that define the OFS experience.
Each video offers a powerful look at what happens when young adults are given the support, training, and confidence to build brighter futures. We invite you to watch, share, and celebrate the journeys behind the stories as we continue creating pathways to success for the next generation.
These videos can also be found on our OFS YouTube Page.
| | Workforce Development Month: Building Pathways to Self-Sustaining Careers | | |
September is Workforce Development Month, a time to recognize the power of education, training, and opportunity to transform lives, strengthen communities, and grow our economy.
At Operation Fresh Start, workforce development is at the heart of everything we do. Through hands-on training, career exploration, industry-recognized credentials, and personalized support, we help young adults build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the workforce.
The results speak for themselves. Since October 1, 2025, 37 young adults from our post-high school academy programs have taken the next step toward their futures, with 27 launching careers in construction, eight entering the conservation field, and three pursuing higher education (one in conservation field and school simultaneously). Each placement represents a young person gaining the opportunity to build a self-sustaining future while helping meet Wisconsin's growing workforce needs.
Additionally, we had 12 CareerPoint participants secure employment in healthcare, early childhood education, and financial and customer service fields, with dozens more young adults working towards sustainable career pathways in our Legacy (diploma attainment) and Career Coaching (1-on-1 career exploration) Programs.
This Workforce Development Month, we're proud to celebrate the achievements of our participants and the partners who make these opportunities possible, including the partnership and support from the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin, AmeriCorps, YouthBuild Global, and The Corps Network. Together, we're building stronger futures, one career at a time!
| | UMOJA Magazine Highlights Two Amazing OFS Leaders | Photo of Jasmine Banks, courtesy of the Odyssey Project. | |
We're proud to see Jasmine Banks, OFS Deputy Director of Empowerment and Strategic Initiatives, featured in UMOJA Magazine! The article highlights Jasmine's lifelong commitment to empowering others, from creating welcoming outdoor spaces for Black and Brown communities to helping young adults at OFS build brighter futures through education, mentoring, and employment training.
Jasmine's story is one of leadership, resilience, and service. Whether she's guiding young people toward self-sufficiency, building innovative programs, or encouraging others to connect with nature and community, she leads with purpose and heart. We're grateful for the impact she makes every day at OFS and throughout Madison.
Congratulations, Jasmine, on this well-deserved recognition!
| Photo of Monica Mims with her art. | |
Monica Mims’ story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when potential is met with opportunity. After overcoming significant challenges as a young person, Monica found mentors, skills, and a sense of purpose through Operation Fresh Start.
Today, she's an award-winning community leader, artist, Alliant Energy Community Engagement Partner, and proud OFS Board member. Her journey from participant to changemaker is inspiring countless others to dream bigger and keep moving forward.
As Monica shared, “Caring about people, understanding the diversity in us all, and wanting to be a resource. I learned a lot of that from OFS.” We're honored to be part of her story and grateful for the impact she continues to make across our community.
Congratulations on your hard work, Monica!
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Congratulations to Tae on completing the Legacy Program and earning his high school diploma through the Madison Metropolitan School District!
Tae’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when determination, support, and opportunity come together.
As Jade shared, “I think Tae’s journey here shows what Operation Fresh Start is all about.” She watched him grow into a leader on his crew — someone others looked up to, asked questions of, and followed.
That growth came through in Tae’s own words, too:
“I miss how all y’all believed in me… I just like being here, I miss it, and I want to say thank you.”
Along with his diploma, Tae earned his Segal AmeriCorps Education Award and his Pre-Apprenticeship Readiness Training Certificate in Conservation and Urban Forestry. We’re proud of the work he put in, the leader he became, and the future he’s building!
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Congratulations to Avi on completing the Legacy Program and earning her high school diploma through the Madison Metropolitan School District!
When Avi first came to Operation Fresh Start, she said she “didn’t know what she was getting herself into.” Early mornings, accountability, and facing challenges weren’t easy, but Avi kept showing up, kept growing, and kept choosing her future.
Her supervisor, Taylor, shared that Avi brought something special to the crew every day: “If you ask anyone on our crew who they think of when they hear the word positive, I guarantee they’ll say Avi.”
Taylor also praised Avi’s ability to lift others up, saying, “She wasn’t just motivating herself, she brought everyone else with her.”
As Avi put it best: “I knew I had to change not only for myself, but for my future self.”
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Congratulations to Josue on completing the Legacy Program and earning his high school diploma through the Madison Metropolitan School District!
As Miles shared during the celebration, Josue “put a lot of hard work into his time here” and “didn’t let things that were hard get in the way.”
From conservation work in tough weather to building homes through painting, drywall, framing, siding, and roofing, Josue showed up ready to learn and grow.
Reflecting on his time at Operation Fresh Start, Josue shared, “When I was first thinking of coming to Operation Fresh Start, I felt unsure about myself. But being on Miles’ crew has helped me be better at a lot of things.”
He leaves OFS with his high school diploma, a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, and a pre-apprenticeship readiness training certificate in carpentry.
Congratulations, Josue. We are so proud and excited for you to join Build Academy!
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Congratulations to Ceno, an OFS Build Academy graduate who has officially been hired as a Laborer by Badgerland Decks and Construction!
Ceno’s journey has been one of growth, persistence, and the choice of a new path forward. As Build Academy Coordinator, Faith shared, “He never allowed those obstacles to become an excuse,” and instead kept showing up for himself, his family, and his future.
In Ceno’s own words: “This has been an incredible journey of growth, learning, and transformation. It wasn’t easy. I faced challenges and obstacles that seemed impossible, but here we are.”
We’re proud of everything Ceno has accomplished — earning his driver’s license, completing Build Academy, and beginning his career in construction. As he said best, “The future is ours to shape.”
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Congratulations to Jose on completing Build Academy and starting his next chapter as a Roofing Apprentice with Maly Roofing, Inc.!
In just three months, Jose earned his pre-apprenticeship in carpentry, gained new credentials, became a licensed driver, and secured a career opportunity.
His supervisors described him as steady, dependable, hardworking, and someone his crew could count on.
As Joe Collins said, “You became the person that I could send people to… just go to Jose, he’ll figure it out.”
Jeff Garretson from Maly Roofing shared that Jose is already making a strong impression on the roof: “He shows up every day. He’s learning quickly… They have nothing but good things to say about you.”
Jose kept his own remarks short and sincere: “I really appreciate this opportunity… Thank you for everything.”
We are proud of you, Jose, and excited to see where this next chapter takes you.
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Thanks to the 2nd Market Capital Economic Opportunity Foundation, every gift to Operation Fresh Start is being matched dollar for dollar from June 1 to September 30, up to $25,000!
Thanks to the generosity of our gala guests, we're excited to share that we have met the match before the end of the month! Thank you for helping us get across the finish line and to all who contributed!
Your donations help provide opportunities available to young adults working toward their education, career, and life goals. Together, we're creating pathways to success and stronger futures for our community.
This is the eighth year in a row that 2nd Market Capital has created match. Thanks again for your continued support!
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Celebrating Jeff Reed's Retirment | | |
After 22 years of building opportunities and making a lasting impact on young people, we were honored to celebrate Jeff Reed's retirement on Thursday at The Biergarten at Olbrich Park.
Surrounded by OFS staff, alumni, family, and friends, we shared stories, laughs, and gratitude for Jeff's dedication to Operation Fresh Start and the countless lives he's helped shape through his work on our construction team.
Thank you, Jeff, for 22 incredible years of service. Your legacy will continue to be seen in the projects you completed, the young people you mentored, and the community you helped build. Congratulations on your retirement!
| | 2026 Gala Special Edition Newsletter | |
In case you missed it, we celebrated the Sixth OFS Gala at the Monona Terrace on Thursday, September 17.
We thank the 307 people who attended to celebrate OFS participants, staff, award recipients, and partners. Thank you to our sponsors, community supporters, and volunteers for showing up and believing in our work and our participants!
The gala highlighted the transformative impact of OFS’s programs on emerging adults in Dane County, celebrating the achievements of participants in the Legacy, Academy, and Empowerment Programs, and honoring the dedication of staff, community partners, and supporters. Through inspiring stories, award presentations, and recognition of both individual and collective accomplishments, the event showcased how education, mentorship, and hands-on training empower young people to build brighter futures and strengthen the community.
| Group photo of OFS current and former staff, board members, and participants at the gala. | | |
The colder months are coming, which means our participant's needs are changing!
Top needs include wool socks, work gloves, and handwarmers. Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Thank you for helping OFS empower emerging adults on their path to self-sufficiency! | | ✉️ Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up for monthly newsletters! | | | | |
