Operation Fresh Start

Our Mission: Operation Fresh Start empowers emerging adults on a path to self-sufficiency through education, mentoring and employment training. A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Operation Fresh Start has provided comprehensive employment and training services to over 8,000 young adults (ages 16-24) in Dane County, Wisconsin since 1970. OFS programs are designed for a critical time in life: the transition to adulthood. They provide a path forward for emerging adults through mentoring, education, and employment training. OFS graduates earn their high school diploma, driver’s license, certifications in the construction and conservation fields, and gain college/career readiness skills. Participants are also giving back to the community -- building affordable homes for low-income families, completing conservation projects and environmental justice work in city and county parks. After program completion, OFS staff continue to support graduates as they transition into post-secondary education and/or self-sustaining employment. Operation Fresh Start is working to ensure successful outcomes for current and future generations of low-income individuals and people of color in our community. Programming focuses on young adults from low-income families (80% of participants) and people of color (76% of participants).