At-risk teens build house in Beloit as part of Fresh Start program

BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) — A group of students in Beloit transformed an empty lot into a new home as part of the Fresh Start program, earning their GEDs and gaining valuable career experience.

The Fresh Start program, designed to help at-risk teens, provided these students with hands-on training in construction, culminating in the completion of a vibrant new house. Despite the program’s success, it is going on hiatus this year due to insufficient federal funding.

“I feel proud. Not only just for myself, but for me and my fellow classmates of that class,” said one of the students involved in the project.

Construction manager Joshua Kirkpatrick, who works with Fresh Start, emphasized the importance of the program, saying, “We kind of give them their second chance. I hope getting their diploma, getting job training skills, and everything that sets them up for a positive future.”

The project not only provided students with practical skills but also inspired some to consider careers in construction. Student Elijah Lowery expressed his newfound interest, saying, “I see myself being in construction heavily because of this.”

The Fresh Start program celebrated the graduation of 40 students in June. However, the program’s future is uncertain as it did not receive enough federal funding to continue this school year.

Kirkpatrick, reflecting on his own experiences, noted the lack of similar opportunities when he was younger. “I was once an at-risk child, and we didn’t have these programs when I went through high school,” he said.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WTVO. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WTVO staff before being published.