Operation Fresh Start (OFS) invites the public to visit its newly constructed single-family home at 239 W. Nelson St. in Deerfield on Thursday, March 7, from 2:30–4 p.m. The home was built by the young adults in OFS’s advanced training program, Build Academy. At 3 p.m., there will be speeches given by program staff and participants, and tours will be available.
Construction began in November 2022, and over 30 Build Academy participants worked on the house. It is 1,600 square feet in area, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a walkout basement, and a three-stall garage. Program participants completed everything except for the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and gutter work, which was contracted out.
County Materials, Stevens Construction, Fabick Rents, and Jaeckle Distributors donated select materials and tools for the house. Additional support came from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The house will be up for sale at fair market value starting March 15 with Trent Halverson of Stark Company Realtors.
Build Academy is OFS’s advanced construction training program for young adults ages 18–24 with the ultimate goal of job placement in the trades. Crew members train at actual construction sites, and upon advancement, they work at commercial construction sites. Mentors on and off the work site provide professional and personal support.
