WISCONSIN FRESH START

AND YOUTHBUILD PROGRAM

Columbia & Sauk County

The Idea

Many young people, ages 17-24, have dropped out of school (or are considering it) and lack the skills to find and keep a good job. Renewal Unlimited's Wisconsin Fresh Start and YouthBuild Program provides these "at-risk" youth with education, employment skills, career direction, paid work and service experience -which leads to self - sufficiency.

Fresh Start has been highly successful in Dane County for over 30 years; Renewal Unlimited became a Wisconsin Fresh Start provider in 1999, having provided similar services since 1977.  The Youth Build program was added in 2007.

The Program

With an emphasis on educational and vocational services, Fresh Start and Youth Build focuses on two objectives:

*Increased job and employability skills
*Successful completion of GED/HSED

Members spend part of their day at a work site, constructing or rehabilitating a single-family home which is sold to a lower-income family. On occasion, the work day is spent in service to civic, environmental, or other organizations. Members also spend part of their time in the classroom.

All Fresh Start and Youth Build members receive:

*Basic skills assessment
*Individual tutoring for GED/HSED
* Job readiness & retention training
*Career and financial planning

Referral to supportive services as needed.

The Members

*Ages 17 -24, male or female
*Must be fully ambulatory, being able to perform vigorous daily work with a minimum of accommodation

Has dropped out of high school, is in imminent danger of doing so, or is referred for behavioral or other reasons.

The Benefits

*Wages: Minimum wage plus bonuses, $5000 over the length of a 900-hour program;
*Upon completion of the program (900 hours + HSED), a member is eligible for a $2365 educational grant from Americorps
*Breakfast and Lunch is provided on workdays at no cost to the members
*Individualized tutoring for GED/HSED/H.S. Diploma
*Covered by Workers' Compensation and Social Security
*A "fresh start" towards successful adulthood!

Special Section: What’s A GED and HSED?

A GED requires completing five test in Mathematics, English Literature, English Writing, Social Studies, and Science. Several miscellaneous areas of study are also required for the “High School Equivalency Diploma.

There are two additional tests for an HSED:

1.    Health: credit may be earned through completion of a high school course or instruction in an “alternative” Program such as Wisconsin Fresh Start;

2.    Civics: possible credit through completion of a high school course, passing grade through an Internet program, or a test similar to GED tests.

WFS helps prepare participants for these test requirements. 

We also provide employability skills, independent living skills, resume development, money management, etc., all as part of the Fresh Start curriculum.
 

The Staff

Michael Rundio, Youth and Family Services Manager
        Portage Administrative Office
        2900 Red Fox Run
        Portage, WI  53901
        Manages the Wisconsin Fresh Start and YouthBuild Program in Columbia and Sauk
        Counties.   
        (608) 742-5329 ext. 13
        mrundio@renewalunlimited.net   

Madonna Eyers, WFS Teacher
Renewal Youth Start Building
2930 Red Fox Run
Portage, WI  53901
Acts as a mentor for members while providing individualized tutoring for GED/HSED/H.S. Diploma completion.
(608) 742-1516 ext. 116
meyers@renewalunlimited.net

Paul Zimmerman, WFS Technical Supervisor
        Renewal Youth Start Building
        2930 Red Fox Run
        Portage, WI  53901
        Acts as a mentor for members while sharing construction and job skills.
        (608) 742-1516 ext. 119
        pzimmerman@renewalunlimited.net

Gary Cyrus, YBP Teacher
        Renewal Youth Start Building
        2930 Red Fox Run
        Portage, WI  53901
        Acts as a mentor for members while providing individualized tutoring for   
        GED/HSED/H.S. Diploma completion.
        (608) 742-1516 ext. 120
        gcyrus@renewalunlimited.net

Dennis Crego, YBP Technical Supervisor
        Renewal Youth Start Building
        2930 Red Fox Run
        Portage, WI  53901
        Acts as a mentor for members while sharing construction and job skills.
        (608) 742-1516 ext. 115
        dcrego@renewalunlimited.net   

Judd Maxwell, WFS Teacher
        Baraboo Facility
        1531 Lake Street
        Baraboo, WI  53913
        Acts as a mentor for members while providing individualized tutoring for   
        GED/HSED/H.S. Diploma completion.
        (608) 356-3328 ext. 217
        jmaxwell@renewalunlimited.net

Jackie Weber, WFS Technical Supervisor
        Baraboo Facility
        1531 Lake Street
        Baraboo, WI  53913
       Acts as a mentor for members while sharing construction and job skills.
       (608) 356-3328 ext. 215
       jweber@renewalunlimited.net