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Blog & News


Jan 27
Celebrating OFS's Expansion Built by Emerging Young Adults
OFS Executive Director Brian McMahon delivers an opening speech to the guests attending the OFS Buildout Open House. Operation Fresh...


Jan 8
Legacy Graduate Aniya Dietzman Selected by The Corps Network as 2025 Corpsmember of the Year Â
Aniya participates in a prairie burn. Aniya Dietzman, a current Corpsmember of Operation Fresh Start will be one of six recognized by The...


Dec 19, 2024
Mindful Cleaning: How an OFS Alum is Transforming the Industry
When most people think of a cleaning service, they envision someone quickly tidying up an already organized home, but for Jo Fernandez,...


Nov 20, 2024
Carlos Rubio: From OFS to Local Conservation Leader
Carlos Rubio’s journey from a participant at Operation Fresh Start (OFS) to a dedicated leader with Dane County Parks is a story of...


Oct 21, 2024
Building Dreams, Building Futures: OFS Completes Another Affordable Home
The newest house that OFS Legacy participants built, located at 1104 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie. Operation Fresh Start...


Sep 24, 2024
Monica Mims: OFS Alum, Marketing Professional, Community Leader, and Artist
Monica Mims, a proud graduate of Operation Fresh Start (OFS) in 1999, has forged an impressive career as a Marketing Professional,...

Sep 16, 2024
Santiago Teniente: From OFS Graduate to Skilled Foreman at Sergenian's Floor Coverings
Santi with OFS Executive Director Brian McMahon (left) and OFS Expeditor Jeff Reed (right). In 2011, Santiago "Santi" Teniente embarked...

Sep 11, 2024
Strengthening community: Block Party empowers hundreds of attendees with free resources
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) and Reach Dane ’s Community Resource Block Party on Thursday, August 29,  was a tremendous success, with...

Sep 6, 2024
Back to School Shoutout: Celebrating OFS Graduates!
As the school year kicks off, we’re excited to highlight some of our recent Operation Fresh Start (OFS) graduates who are taking the next...


Aug 12, 2024
CareerPoint equips Young Professionals with Career Skills, Leading to Job Offers
This summer, Lydia Partee, Operation Fresh Start’s CareerPoint Coordinator, led a group of young professionals through the Essential...


Aug 1, 2024
Building Bright Futures: Summer Trades Academy Graduates Forge Paths in Construction
The 2024 Summer Trades Academy graduates with OFS and WRTP Big Step staff and local union representatives. Operation Fresh Start (OFS)...


Jul 22, 2024
OFS celebrates completion of Sun Prairie affordable house
OFS staff, participants, and Sun Prairie elected officials at 1108 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie. Operation Fresh Start (OFS) held an...


Jul 12, 2024
OFS announces four new director positions
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) is thrilled to announce the appointment of four new director positions within the organization. This marks a...


Jul 2, 2024
OFS nominates Devin Grob for YouthBuild Member of the Year Award 
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) nominated Legacy participant Devin Grob for the 2024 YouthBuild AmeriCorps Spirit of Service Member of the...


Jun 26, 2024
Operation Fresh Start Hosts YouthBuild Midwest Regional Convening
Operation Fresh Start (OFS) welcomed attendees of the 2024 YouthBuild Midwest Regional Convening to Madison on June 20-21 where more than...


Mar 26, 2024
Unlocking potential through hands-on training
Build Academy's first house was constructed from the ground up by young adults training for a career in the trades.


Feb 25, 2024
Operation Fresh Start announces new executive director
Brian McMahon, current deputy director of Operation Fresh Start, has been announced as the nonprofit's new executive director.


Jan 23, 2024
From career interest to sustainable pathway
In the spring of 2023, Salix had recently started his career journey. Now, he's turned that career interest into a sustainable pathway.


Nov 28, 2023
New program opens new pathways for young adults
CareerPoint celebrated the graduation of its pilot cohort before the participants head off to their UWCU job training.


Aug 23, 2023
Executive Director to retire spring 2024
After 13 years of service, Greg Markle will be retiring as Executive Director in the spring of 2024.
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