Carlos Rubio’s journey from a participant at Operation Fresh Start (OFS) to a dedicated leader with Dane County Parks is a story of transformation and perseverance.
Carlos graduated from OFS in 2017, and he hasn’t looked back since. He has been building a career in conservation as a Park Laborer with Dane County Parks for the last seven years.
His work with Dane County Parks spans across seasons—from running the mowing crew in the summer to forestry and road repair in the winter. Carlos’ path to this career, however, wasn’t always straightforward.
His high school counselor told him that he would not be able to graduate on time with his class. Rather than returning for another year of high school, he was encouraged by a friend to enroll in OFS and was placed on a conservation crew in the Pathways (now Legacy) program. Carlos said he learned valuable job skills from his supervisor, David Schlueter, including team collaboration, hard labor, and chainsaw handling.
“He was passionate for conservation,” Carlos recalled about David. “The crew we had was like family. They all taught me a lot.”
During his time at OFS, Carlos built close bonds with his fellow participants, forming a tight-knit crew that he called his “brothers and sisters.”
Together they tackled challenging projects, like clearing hilltops at Indian Lake County Park, carrying heavy equipment up steep slopes—a memory that remains one of Carlos’ favorites.
Carlos initially thought he'd enter a different path, but his time at OFS gave him the confidence he needed to thrive in a sustainable career.
“My initial goal wasn't to go to the parks,” Carlos said. “I guess I was always kind of scared, because I wasn't sure what to expect from an actual government job. My initial goal was to just go to some landscape company, but OFS helped build this confidence in me that I didn’t know I had."
Carlos was the first participant from OFS that when on to work for Dane County Parks.
“When an OFS graduate goes to an organization and finds success, it inspires others OFS participants to do the same,” OFS Director of Legacy and Conservation Cory Rich said. “It is especially powerful when a graduate lands at a partner organization like Dane County Parks, because our crews get to work alongside that individual in the field, witness their success, and realize that this pathway is also open to them.”
Carlos remains connected to OFS, attending events like the annual gala and offering his support whenever asked.
“OFS helped me achieve my diploma and is always here still to answer my questions today,” Carlos said. “OFS is a big family to me.”
His story is a powerful example of how OFS helps young adults not only overcome challenges but also build careers, confidence, and lifelong passions.