Operation Fresh Start

10/20/2026

There’s no substitute for hands-on experience. 🛠️

Our newest Build Academy cohort is already putting their skills into action, recently installing new flooring in one of our OFS classrooms.

Along the way, participants gained real-world construction experience while leaving their mark on a space that will serve other young people for years to come.

Nice work, Build Academy! 👏

10/19/2026

Policy meets practice. 🌱

For the second year in a row, former Dane County Executive Joe Parisi brought students from his UW Nelson Institute class, “Local Government and the Environment,” to OFS. Our Conservation Academy participants and staff formed a panel to discuss the importance and real-world challenges of implementing local environmental policy.

It was a great opportunity for University of Wisconsin-Madison students to hear directly from the people helping put environmental programs and policies into action. Thank you to Joe Parisi and his students for spending time with us!

10/18/2026

🪚🌲 Chainsaw certified!

A big shoutout to our Conservation Academy participants and Conservation Supervisors who recently earned their SAWW Level 1 and Level 2 chainsaw certifications!

Thank you to Luke Saunders from Blue Heron Stewardship for leading the training and helping our crew build valuable hands-on skills they can carry into conservation work and future careers.

Congratulations to everyone who earned their certifications! 👏🌿

10/17/2026

Your gift can help young people build a stronger future. 💙

Operation Fresh Start is proud to participate in the Partners in Giving Campaign, which gives State of Wisconsin, Universities of Wisconsin, and UW Health employees an opportunity to support charitable organizations that matter to them.

When you choose Operation Fresh Start, you help create opportunities for young people to build skills, earn credentials, gain work experience, and take meaningful steps toward their education and career goals.

We’re grateful to everyone who supports OFS through Partners in Giving. Your generosity helps young people move forward and strengthens our community along the way.

Learn more and give through the Partners in Giving Campaign here: https://giving.wi.gov/

10/16/2026

A huge thank you to Katie and The 608 Team for volunteering their time to conduct mock interviews with our participants!

Interview practice is one of the most valuable ways to build confidence and prepare for employment success. Through thoughtful questions, constructive feedback, and encouragement, the 608 Team helped our participants strengthen their skills and take another step toward achieving their career goals.

We're especially grateful to Katie, whose connection to Operation Fresh Start runs deep. Her late father-in-law, Jack Osteraas, founded Operation Fresh Start more than 55 years ago, and it's inspiring to see that legacy of investing in young people continue today.

Thank you, Katie and the entire 608 Team, for supporting the next generation and helping our participants prepare for bright futures.

💙👏

10/15/2026

❤️ CareerPoint Healthcare Spotlight: Thank You, Johnny Winston, Jr.! ❤️

A huge thank you to Johnny Winston CARES CPR Training for joining our CareerPoint Healthcare cohort and providing valuable CPR and emergency preparedness training!

Johnny gave our participants hands-on instruction in:
🫀 Adult, child, and infant CPR
⚡ AED awareness and use
🆘 Choking response
👀 Situational awareness
🤝 Teamwork and emergency response

His engaging and practical teaching style helped participants build confidence in responding to emergencies and reinforced the importance of being prepared to take action when someone needs help.

Johnny encourages people to become “try-standers,” not merely “bystanders”—a powerful message for anyone entering the healthcare field!

We appreciate Johnny for sharing his knowledge, experience, and passion with our participants. Training like this helps our CareerPoint Healthcare graduates build the skills and confidence they need to succeed in their careers and serve their communities. 👏❤️

Thank you, Johnny, for investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals!

10/14/2026

🌾 Restoring prairie takes a community.

At the 2026 Dane County Parks Seed Challenge, OFS participants worked side by side with conservation organizations and public agencies to collect native prairie seeds for future habitat restoration. Approximately 50 OFS participants, staff and volunteers joined the effort, and Team OFS ultimately earned first place!

Participating teams included Operation Fresh Start, Dane County Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the City of Middleton Parks and Recreation.

Every bag of seed collected will contribute to something bigger: stronger habitat, healthier pollinators, and restored prairie for future generations.

Read more about the Seed Challenge here: https://www.operationfreshstart.org/post/conservation-partners-join-to-restore-prairie-habitat-at-the-2026-dane-county-parks-seed-challenge

On a warm, sunny fall morning across Dane County, friendly competition met conservation as teams fanned out to collect native prairie seeds for the 2026 Dane County Parks Seed Challenge.Now in its eighth year, the Seed Challenge brings together conservation partners, county staff, volunteers, and Op...

10/13/2026

What a successful day at McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park!

Thank you to Spectrum for awarding Operation Fresh Start a $30,000 Spectrum Community Center Assist grant in support of our workforce development programs, and for showing up with volunteers ready to put that investment into action!

We were also grateful to welcome Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Ratcliff, whose presence helped highlight the importance of workforce development, conservation, and community-based opportunities for young adults across Dane County.

Following the check presentation, Spectrum volunteers worked alongside OFS to support conservation efforts at the park, turning a celebration of community investment into a day of hands-on service. Spectrum’s support now totals $80,000 over the past two years, and we are thankful for their continued belief in OFS participants and the futures they are building.

10/12/2026

Samson, a Career Coaching participant, recently met with Tyler Shaub at the Sun Prairie Branch of UW Credit Union. The meeting gave Samson the chance to ask questions and learn more about career pathways in financial services.

Conversations like these help young people gather the information they need to make informed decisions as they work toward sustainable careers. A big thank you to Tyler and UW Credit Union for taking the time to connect with and invest in young talent in our community!

10/11/2026

Welcome our new construction expediter, Josh Klimeck!

Josh is excited to join Operation Fresh Start as a Construction Expeditor, bringing more than 19 years of experience in the construction industry. He's been a union carpenter since 2007, building a strong foundation of hands-on construction knowledge, teamwork, problem-solving, and a commitment to getting the job done safely and efficiently.

Throughout his career, he's valued working with people, building strong relationships, and contributing to successful projects. Josh is looking forward to bringing his experience and skills to Operation Fresh Start and supporting the organization’s mission and the communities it serves.

Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with my wife and kids. They love camping, attending sporting events, and making memories together as a family.

Welcome to the OFS family, Josh!