Mayor Announces $256,000 Federal Grant for Allied Youth Program

Madison – Madison Mayor David Cieslewicz today announced a $256,000 Federal grant has been awarded to Operation Fresh Start (OFS) for employment and training services to Allied Drive neighborhood youth. The HUD-Youthbuild grant will fund two years of academic classes, employment skill development, career direction and supportive services for 20 young people, ages 16-24, most of whom are high school dropouts or non-completers. As part of OFS’ intensive programming, participants will build or renovate one to two affordable homes in the Allied Drive neighborhood that will be sold to first-time buyers. “This is great news for the Allied Drive neighborhood on many levels,” said Cieslewicz. “This funding will help us provide valuable job-training skills for young people, while also improving the supply of high-quality, affordable housing in the neighborhood. We face many challenges in improving the quality of life in the Allied Drive neighborhood, and programs like this will help the City’s efforts enormously.” The award will enable OFS, funded also by City of Madison Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, to address the goals of the Mayor’s Vision for the Allied Community, which include increasing the availability of affordable housing and improving the employability of Allied Drive neighborhood residents. Operation Fresh Start (OFS), a non-profit organization, has been in service in Madison and Dane County for 35 years. OFS participants provide meaningful service to their communities by building or renovating low-cost housing. OFS has served more than 6,000 participants and completed 175 houses sold to low or moderate-income first-time homebuyers.