Latest News

(WEAU) Western Dairyland brings Fresh Start program back to continue helping youths

September 19, 2025

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) - Western Dairyland has helped shaped the lives of many in Western Wisconsin. The Fresh Start program having provided the tools for success, and homes for families in search for a solid foundation. That was until AmeriCorps funding cuts chopped the program’s run time early.

“I think the youth were definitely disappointed. One of the biggest expenses of our program that we’ve had in the past is hiring a construction site supervisor and then also building the house from the ground up,” said Katie Hulbert. She is the housing and families services director for Western Dairyland.

Funding cuts left the house under construction in Strum incomplete and the cohort of youths that had worked on it feeling unfinished.

“After the loss of funding and then gaining that funding back, we have just hired on our Fresh Start program coordinator. She is currently in the process of training and as well as recruiting for new youth for the 25-26 program year,” said Hulbert.

The program also having gained more in its new beginning.

“Engaging in that partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we’re still able to work with getting the great skills the youth are learning from that construction component as well as bringing down the cost of the overall program,” said Hulbert.

“I’ve been learning a lot about the Fresh Start program as I’ve met with representatives from Western Dairyland,” said Allyn Bertrang.

He is with the Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity, a Christian-based non-profit that helps families in the region with work on their homes. Both he and Hulbert want to continue building lives. The projects in mind for this upcoming cohort will be smaller than building a house from the ground up.

“And so the feeling of gratification from completing a shorter term project I think is going to help our youth even more to have that sense of accomplishment,” said Hulbert.

“To gain the knowledge and the wisdom to figure out how to do things, how to problem solve, not just learn one way to do it,” said Bertrang.

Some of the youth from the last cohort were able to find jobs. The house in Strum continues to be under construction.

Watch the full story