| Last updated on August 16, 2007 |
Operation Fresh Start exists to assist at-risk young people to overcome barriers to success and to become self-sufficient young adults.
Description:
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) provides young people, ages 16-24, with a paid full-time job building affordable housing and classroom time and training to build academic and life skills and identify career goals and strategies to achieve them.
Young people spend 50% of their time on construction sites learning work maturity skills, such as assuming responsibility, working as a team, attending and arriving on time, etc. The other 50% is spent on site and in the classroom improving basic academic skills, preparing for the GED/HSED, completing their high school diploma, learning pre-employment skills, exploring career options.
For most, this program lasts about one year, during which time the young people are preparing to transition into post-secondary training and education and/or to assume unsubsidized employment. Some return to OFS for a second year of preparation.
OFS staff continue to follow graduates for a period of at least 2 years to promote job or school program retention and success.
History:
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) was founded in 1970 to provide employment and training opportunities to young male offenders. Since its founding, OFS has expanded its services to include young women and high school drop-outs. OFS has served over 7,000 young people. Studies have shown that 70% of OFS graduates are employed and/or attending post-secondary schooling and have remained free of reliance on public assistance or involvement in the criminal justice system. OFS crews have built or rehabbed 175 houses in Madison and Dane County, and all have been sold to low-income, first-time homebuyers.
Contact people:
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Connie Ferris Bailey, Executive Director, (608) 244-4721, (email)
James Sanders, Deputy Director - Counseling, (608)24404721, (email)
George Riggin, Deputy Director - Housing, (608) 244-4721 |
Office fax number: (608) 244-8162
Address:
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1925 Winnebago St.
Madison, WI 53704
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://operationfreshstart.org
Directions:
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Operation Fresh Start headquarters are located near the corner of S. First St. and Winnebago St. on Madison's near east side. Depending on your origin, travel east or west on E. Washington Avenue to First St.; turn south onto. . . (more)
Nearest Bus Stop: S. First St. and Winnebago, One Minute minute walk |
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