At-risk youth in Wisconsin get a fresh start

Wisconsin announced awards totaling $1.39 million to nine initiatives under the state’s Fresh Start program. The program is designed to help at-risk youth learn new skills and foster self sufficiency while helping to provide housing opportunities for lower income residents.

Agencies involved in the program expect to serve approximately 340 at-risk youths.  The projects will involve teaching the youth to construct or rehabilitate 22 affordable housing units, which will then be sold or rented to lower income residents throughout the state.  Youth participants will also have the opportunity to take classes toward completion of GED programs. The projects, listed below, show the amounts and cities that will be served through the Fresh Start program:

• ADVOCAP, Inc., Fond du Lac, $114,350
• CAP Services, Inc., Waupaca and Wautoma, $244,000
• Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties, Inc., Beloit, $33,000
• Indianhead Community Action Agency, Bruce, Hayward and Shell Lake, $174,300
• Milwaukee Christian Center, Milwaukee, $31,000
• Northcott Neighborhood House, Milwaukee, $56,000
• Renewal Unlimited, Inc., Portage and Baraboo, $279,750
• Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association, Wausau, $216,500
• Western Dairyland Community Action Agency, Hatfield and Alma Center, $243,700

“Through Fresh Start, young people can complete their education and learn employment skills, while helping to improve the availability of housing for low-income families,” Governor Doyle said. “This program is a win-win for our young people, our communities, and our state. Congratulations to the Fresh Start participants for all of the good work they are doing.”

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