September 2024 #nonprofit #hartford
Fresh Start Graduation in June
We are pleased to announce the graduation of our latest cohort of students from The Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy. It has been a true pleasure to teach and mentor these individuals as they prepare to embark on their professional journeys.
A memorable highlight of their time with us was a guest speaker from Liberty Bank, Pamela, Vice President, Community Development Outreach Officer. She provided invaluable insights on financial literacy and credit development. This experience was both educational and inspiring for our graduates.
When asking Aidan, our instructor, his thoughts for the graduates he stated, “I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to teach the 2024 graduates of Fresh Start Academy. These remarkable students have overcome significant challenges and have shown unwavering dedication by not only attending this class but embracing it as a vital step toward their future. Their commitment to transforming their lives, as if this class were a new lease on life, is nothing short of inspiring.”
Our four graduates have enthusiastically embraced their next steps, with three joining The RiseUP Nonprofit Organization, the other joining Amazon. They are excited to apply their new skills and contribute meaningfully to their new roles. Their dedication was especially evident on June 24th, a significant day that marked the culmination of their six-week effort, showcasing the progress and hard work they invested during their time at the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy.
We are proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in their communities.
Employee News
After three years of outstanding service, Operations Manager Colin Green has moved on from Fresh Start to work at his own business. Colin supported Fresh Start in its critical stages of growth, teaching both students in our Academy and employees on the shop floor the skills they need to be successful. We thank Colin and wish him all the best!
Additionally, Khan Mohammad Khan has rejoined Fresh Start as Lead Carpenter. Khan will share his years of experience and expertise with our upskilling employees.
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Grant
Heartfelt thanks to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for its generous grant of $40,250 in support of the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy. This gift is instrumental in advancing the Academy’s mission to help individuals rebuild their lives through career development. Specifically, this grant will help to provide a weekly stipend to students, alleviating financial stress and allowing them to concentrate fully on their Academy work. Our most recent graduates have noted that this stipend was invaluable, helping them manage daily living expenses, such as gas, groceries, and other essentials. It serves as a significant incentive for their consistent participation and successful graduation. This funding also brings us closer to implementing the Home Builders Institute Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) curriculum for our fall 2024 cohort. This curriculum prepares job-seekers for careers in residential construction.
Summer Interns
This summer, Fresh Start collaborated with Student 5.0, a Hartford-based career launch program for graduating high school students, which allowed us to host two interns, Jelissa V. and Aliyah G. They spent the summer learning about various aspects of Fresh Start, and have enjoyed contributing to the team. Now headed off to college, they each offer a retrospective summary of their time at Fresh Start and a warm appreciation to the team:
Jelissa writes, “My experience here at Fresh Start has been amazing. The internship offered many opportunities and support, making me feel like a valued part of the team. I played a key role in transitioning the organization from Excel to QuickBooks. I successfully set up QuickBooks by entering essential components, including customer data and core product information, to ensure a smooth and efficient transition.
“My major project at Fresh Start was planning a donor appreciation event. This experience allowed me to connect with various companies and individuals, and provided valuable insights into the significant effort required to coordinate a successful event.
“I am starting college this fall at Eastern Connecticut State University to pursue a major in communications, and this internship has shown me valuable insights and practical experience relevant to my field of study.”
Aliyah writes, “As a social media intern at Fresh Start, I've greatly valued the opportunity to connect with and assist others across various digital platforms. Fresh Start was my very first job, and despite being new to the workforce, it has quickly become a place where I feel at home. Working alongside a supportive friend and making new connections has been a highlight of my experience here. “In my role, I've created multiple posts for Fresh Start’s social media pages and marketplaces. Before joining Fresh Start, I wasn’t very familiar with platforms like Facebook Marketplace or ZipRecruiter, but this internship has significantly broadened my understanding and comfort with these tools. Additionally, I had the chance to volunteer at the Made in CT Expo, further enriching my experience.
“After graduating from Pathways Academy of Technology and Design, I was uncertain about my next steps before heading to UConn. Thankfully, this fantastic internship opportunity came along, providing valuable experience and guidance during this transitional period.”
We extend every best wish to Jelissa and Aliyah as they begin their college careers, and we invite them to stop in for a visit any time they are back in Hartford.
Customer Projects
Elizabeth Park Conservancy installed about 100 benches in the park in the 80's and 90's. About 15 years ago, the Conservancy replaced the wood with Ipe wood. This is a Brazilian Hardwood prized for its beautiful brown tones, as well as its impressive density and better performance. It also makes it quite difficult to refinish and sand when needed. Regular sanders and sand paper do not work on this Brazilian hardwood. We luckily found Fresh Starts Pallet Projects. Under the leadership of Jenna Columbus, Fresh Start employs and trains individuals seeking to improve their lives with a future in building high-quality custom products. They are in partnership with community organizations, providing education and training through the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy. One of the jobs is refinishing wood products.
A neighbor and friend Bill Howard told us about Fresh Start. They finished 12 benches in the perennial garden and 4 inside the gazebo this summer. Our gardener David Riviera disassembled the benches and brought the wood slats to Jenna to refinish. The result? Wow and Amazing come to mind. Head Gardener Mark Gutzmer will oversee the reinstallation of the refinished benches. Take a look at the before and after! Great Job, Fresh Start. The Conservancy will work with Jenna to plan to refinish all the benches in 2025. We hope to get some done in the fall, pending funding.
Peter’s Fresh Start Success Story
After graduating in 2024 from the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy, Peter W. immediately started putting his skills to work. He jumped right as a contracted employee in to help the KNOX Community Gardens by building a compost bin, a useful addition that will benefit the entire community for years to come. He also leveraged his newfound construction knowledge to assist the City of Hartford, tackling a project to outfit an event trailer with a shelving system. The equipment now remains organized and secure during transport. Peter's helpfulness extends beyond professional settings. He readily assists family and friends with home improvement projects. For example, he repaired damaged drywall near a baby's crib, ensuring a safe sleeping environment for the little one. Another friend with a deck in need of repair sought Peter’s skills and also remunerated him for his work. Peter's technical skills are not the only thing he learned at Fresh Start. He also developed a strong work ethic and is currently a lead floorman at his warehouse job, commanding a rate of $25 per hour. He knows that doing a good job is not just about showing up on time, it’s about taking ownership and pride in his work.
Fresh Start Olympics
This year, we introduced the Fresh Start Olympics, with seven members of the Fresh Start staff participating. Each represented a different country and competed in a variety of events, such as paper airplane distance, basketball, darts, cornhole, and a variation of Kube. Jenna served as the host and noted that every game provided an equal opportunity for all participants, and points were accumulated throughout the competition. At the conclusion of the tournament, the top three performers were awarded medals denoting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Help us congratulate Lyonel with his gold medal, Ruben in 2nd place and Aidan in 3rd.
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