Operation Fresh Start
Melanie Galdes has experience in various roles, including being a Program Coordinator at Operation Fresh Start, a Special Education Teacher at Monona Grove School District, and a Student Teacher at Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District. Prior to these roles, Melanie worked as an Assistant Teacher at Kids Express Learning Center and held positions at McBurney Disability Resource Center, Cross College Advising Services, Wisconsin Early Autism Project, and Little Luxuries. Melanie holds a Master of Science in Special Education and Teaching from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies.
Operation Fresh Start
Our Mission: Operation Fresh Start empowers emerging adults on a path to self-sufficiency through education, mentoring and employment training. A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Operation Fresh Start has provided comprehensive employment and training services to over 9,000 young adults (ages 16-24) in Dane County, Wisconsin since 1970. OFS programs are designed for a critical time in life: the transition to adulthood. They provide a path forward for emerging adults through mentoring, education, and employment training. OFS graduates earn their high school diploma, driver’s license, certifications in the construction and conservation fields, and gain college/career readiness skills. Participants are also giving back to the community -- building affordable homes for low-income families, completing conservation projects and environmental justice work in city and county parks. After program completion, OFS staff continue to support graduates as they transition into post-secondary education and/or self-sustaining employment.