Operation Fresh Start (OFS) celebrated a significant milestone with the completion of another house in Sun Prairie that goes far beyond the physical construction of a house.
On Thursday, October 17, OFS held an open house to celebrate the completion of 1104 Kamperschroer Way in Sun Prairie, built by OFS Legacy Construction Crew participants ages 16-24.
Under their supervisors’ guidance, young adults completed every step of the three-bedroom, one-bath, 1,260-square-foot affordable home besides plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. As YouthBuild members through AmeriCorps, participants earn service hours while working toward their high school diploma at OFS. Upon graduation, they receive an AmeriCorps education award for further education in exchange for their service hours.
Led by Construction Supervisor Tom Griffin, this house was worked on by roughly 50 participants over the past year.
“It is quite a sense of pride knowing that we built this, and what a journey it was,” Tom said.
“I love it when we do things that the participants have never done before. There's been a couple of times where my kiddos here, my participants, did stuff that I've never done, and that was just a thrill to me. You have to overcome the lack of confidence in trying new things over and over, and we did that a lot in this house.”
As Devin, one of the participants, put it: “It has been a really good experience building this house. I gained a lot of experience and knowledge, and I’m grateful to Tom for helping me every step of the way.”
Steve Gardner, the Director of Construction and Build Academy, reflected on the contributions of the many people who helped make this project a reality, including Findorff and Jaeckle Distributors. From longtime partners to dedicated site supervisors, Steve said the success of this home is truly a collective effort.
The build process wasn’t just about construction but also about teaching, mentoring, and creating growth opportunities. The participants gained valuable trade skills and learned life lessons that will stay with them long after this house is sold.
“This home is more than just a roof over someone's head; it is a foundation for a family to grow, thrive, and build a future,” OFS Executive Director Brian McMahon said. “It represents an opportunity for a family to establish roots in the community and begin to create generational wealth.”
However, the journey was not without challenges. Every construction project presents hurdles, and this house was no different. From early obstacles like a stubborn concrete floor to last-minute issues with flooring installation, the team faced each problem head-on.
“It's a symbol of your resilience and your ability to create something meaningful as you move forward in your lives,” Brian said. “Remember the lessons you learned here: that hard work pays off, that challenges can be transformed into opportunities, and that when you unite towards a common goal, there's no limit to what you can achieve.”
City of Sun Prairie District 1 Alderperson Steve Stocker expressed his deep pride in seeing such high-quality work in his district.
“I want to commend all of you that have worked on this house and have worked on all the houses through here,” Stocker said. “Your dedication to this is phenomenal. So, I want to thank you on behalf of the city, and I want to see more houses.”
This house symbolizes what can be achieved when young people, mentors, and community members come together with a common goal. Over thousands of hours, OFS staff and participants grew both as individuals and as skilled builders, learning by doing and overcoming the obstacles that life—and construction—threw their way.
Like so many others built by Operation Fresh Start, this home will stand for years to come—a lasting reminder of the hard work, dedication, and opportunity that shaped its construction. Congratulations to Tom, his crew, and everyone who contributed to this remarkable achievement!