Operation Fresh Start

Public Health Madison and Dane County met with our young professionals in the CareerPoint Healthcare Cohort this week! Matthew Kachel, Coordinator, provided an overview of public health, statistics, and detailed information about its components. Matt also spoke of the vast career options in this field, which was very beneficial to our participants. Sandy Bogar, Public Health Supervisor, reviewed HIPPA, which is the key to trust within the community. She discussed who has access to this information, the purpose behind HIPPA, specific scenarios for the participants to review, and violations. Erica Rabehl, Public Health Aide, described the need for proper hygiene and handwashing as the number one way to stay healthy. Erica informed our participants about blood-borne pathogens and other medical situations and guidance. Thank you to Matt, Sandy, and Erica for taking the time to provide our young professionals with very useful first-hand information about Public Health. This clarified what Public Health truly entails and opened up the participants' minds to possible future career goals that they did not know were available. It was very informative and enjoyable having you with us! #publichealth #careerpoint #HIPPA

CareerScape participant Violet had an exciting opportunity to meet with Caitlyn and Bobby from PUBG, a video game studio in Madison! During their conversation, Violet gained valuable insights into Caitlyn and Bobby’s career journeys, asked thoughtful questions, and even shared their own portfolio. These connections with industry professionals provide invaluable guidance as Violet plans their next career steps. A huge thank you to PUBG Studios Madison for sharing their expertise and to DANEnet for providing Violet with a laptop to support their journey into digital arts! #OFS #PUBG #DaneNet

OFS at the Wisconsin State Capitol for AmeriCorps Day! Today, Operation Fresh Start joined over 100 AmeriCorps members, AmeriCorps Senior volunteers, and program staff at the Wisconsin State Capitol to celebrate the impact of national service! ?? We were honored to stand alongside so many dedicated individuals who are making a difference in communities across Wisconsin. A huge thank you to Assembly Rep. Darrin Madison Jr., Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, and Rep. Amaad Rivera - Wagner for sharing their powerful words about the importance of service and for being incredible AmeriCorps leaders! AmeriCorps members provide vital services statewide, from education and health care access to conservation and disaster relief. Last year, nearly 8,500 volunteers served at over 900 sites across Wisconsin—making a real, lasting impact in communities. Thank you to Serve Wisconsin and everyone involved in organizing this event, and to all who continue to support AmeriCorps programs across the state. Together, we are building stronger communities! ???? #AmeriCorpsWorks #ServeWisconsin #OFS #MakingAnImpact

Yesterday, Operation Fresh Start had the honor of hosting the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education Candidate Forum! A huge thank you to the candidates—Martha Siravo, Bret Wagner, and Ali Muldrow—for taking the time to share their perspectives and visions for the future of our schools. We also want to give a special shout-out to our OFS participants who asked thoughtful and engaging questions, helping to drive an important conversation about education and student success. Your voices matter, and we’re so proud of the leadership you demonstrated! Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this meaningful discussion. Let’s keep working together to build a stronger future for Madison’s students! ?? Make a plan to vote on April 1st! #EducationMatters #MMSD #OFS

?? Building a Stronger Workplace Culture at OFS! ???? We were honored to welcome Sarita Field from UW Health to Operation Fresh Start, where she presented "Creating Spaces for Belonging" to our young professionals. Sarita led an engaging discussion on the importance of respect and personal growth in the workplace. Key takeaways: ?? The importance of accountability, active engagement, and appreciation of others. ?? Understanding personal and professional growth zones: comfort, growth, and stress. ?? Identifying workplace environments that foster respect. Our CareerPoint participants gained valuable insight into what they need from future employers and how to create positive, welcoming spaces for themselves and others. Thank you, Sarita, for this impactful and interactive session! ?? ?? Interested in CareerPoint? This six-week paid professional development training prepares young adults (18-24) for career-track jobs through skill-building, employer connections, and hands-on experience. ?? Join us and take the next step toward your future! #OFS #CareerPoint #OperationFreshStart

?? TOMORROW! ?? Join us at Operation Fresh Start for an important Board of Education Candidate Forum on Tuesday, March 18, from 3:00 – 4:00 PM. This is your chance to hear directly from the candidates shaping the future of Madison Metropolitan School District! ?? Featuring: ? Martha Siravo & Bret Wagner (Seat 3 Candidates) ? Nichelle Nichols (Seat 5) & Ali Janae Muldrow (Seat 4) – Running uncontested ?? Location: Operation Fresh Start, 2670 Milwaukee St, Madison, WI ? Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM (Doors open at 2:30 PM for an optional OFS tour) Candidates will answer pre-determined questions with time for thoughtful responses. The event is open to the public and media, so come ready to learn about their priorities and vision for our schools. ?? Students, parents, educators, and community members—your voice matters! Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged. ?? RSVP & event details: https://lnkd.in/g_HTje9A #EducationMatters #Vote #MMSD

As AmeriCorps Week comes to a close, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to AmeriCorps and all of our incredible partners who make the work we do at Operation Fresh Start possible. Your support and partnership empower young adults to build brighter futures through education, job training, and service to the community. From our dedicated AmeriCorps members to the partners who help expand our reach, your impact is immeasurable. Together, we are transforming lives and strengthening our communities. ???? Thank you for being part of the #AmeriCorpsWorks movement! ?? #ThankYouAmeriCorps #OFS

Yesterday was an unforgettable day as Operation Fresh Start conservation crews welcomed Lizzie Condon, Director of Science and Climate Programs from the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters, and birder, author, and advocate Christian Cooper! Lizzie and Christian joined two of our Legacy Conservation Crews, led by Taylor and Ian, as they worked alongside the City of Madison to restore the area surrounding a retention pond. Crews removed invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn and spread native seeds to help return the land to its natural habitat. Beyond the hands-on work, Christian and Lizzie engaged with our crews, sharing knowledge about birding and conservation efforts. Later that evening, participants and graduates from our Conservation Academy attended Christian’s private reception and talk at the Overture Center for the Arts, where OFS received a special shout-out for the community work we do! A huge thank you to Lizzie and Christian for spending the day with us and making it so inspiring! ???? #ConservationInAction #OFSLegacy #Birding #HabitatRestoration

We had a fantastic time at the Sun Prairie Job Fair today at Prairie Phoenix Academy in Sun Prairie! It was a pleasure speaking with emerging adults about career training, education opportunities, and how Operation Fresh Start can support their journey toward a brighter future. Thank you to the Sun Prairie Optimist Club and the Sun Prairie Chamber of Commerce for hosting the job fair! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth—we loved connecting with you! ??♂????? #JobFair #OFS

Partner Appreciation Day! This AmeriCorps Week, we’re celebrating the incredible partners and champions who help expand the reach and impact of Operation Fresh Start! OFS would like to give a special shoutout to our partners we work with on the conservation side through The Corps Network. This includes Dane County Parks, Dane County Tree Board, City of Madison Engineering, City of Madison, WI, Rooted, Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, SavATree Madison, URBAN TREE ALLIANCE, Dane County Land & Water Resources Department, and more. Additionally, OFS would like to shoutout to our partners that we contract with through our YouthBuild Global affordable housing work. This includes Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Jason Jenny Plumbing and Radiant Heating, Power Plug Electric, and R.A. Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. Whether it’s our funders, industry leaders, or community organizations, your support empowers AmeriCorps members to build skills, gain experience, and create lasting change. Join us in thanking those who make this work possible. #AmeriCorpsWorks #PartnerAppreciation