Dept. of Commerce: Gov. Doyle Announces $1.2 Million in Wisconsin Fresh Start Grants

Contact:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661

MADISON – Gov. Jim Doyle today announced grants totaling $1.2
million to 11 statewide Wisconsin Fresh Start (WFS) programs. The awards
were made by the Wisconsin Fresh Start Initiative administered by the
Department of Commerce (Commerce).

“The Wisconsin Fresh Start initiative invests in at-risk youth to
help them turn their lives around and become active participants in our
workforce and society,” Governor Doyle said. “Participants develop
employment skills as they build affordable, quality and energy-efficient
homes and apartments in their communities.”

The funds were awarded from grants Commerce received from the
Wisconsin Department of Corrections, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic
Development Authority, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Focus on Energy and the Wisconsin Department of Administration.

The Department of Commerce administers a variety of housing
programs. For more information, contact Marty Evanson, Bureau of Housing,
at 608/267-2713.

The grant recipients are as follows:

Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County
$50,850
Dr. Howard Fuller Education Foundation will serve eight participants
and build a single-family home in the Garfield Heights subdivision in
Milwaukee. This contract provides six months of funding.

Milwaukee Christian Center, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County $56,700
Milwaukee Christian Center will serve eight participants and
complete a single-family home on Milwaukee’s south side that was started in
September 2004. It will also start work on a new single-family home
adjacent to the current project site.

Northcott Neighborhood House, Milwaukee, Milwaukee County $41,850
Northcott Neighborhood House will serve eight participants and build
a single-family home in Milwaukee’s 6th Aldermanic District. This contract
provides six months of funding.

ADVOCAP, Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac County $135,650
ADVOCAP will serve 10 participants and build a new single family
home in Fond du Lac.

CAP Services, Inc., Wautoma, Waushara County $130,705
CAP Services, Inc will enroll 13 new participants and produce a new
single-family home in Wautoma.

Indianhead Community Action Agency, Shell Lake, Washburn County
$226,300
Indianhead Community Action Agency will serve 10 participants and
produce two single-family homes in Shell Lake.

Renewal Unlimited, Inc., Portage, Columbia County $123,650
Renewal Unlimited, Inc. will serve 10 participants and build a new
single-family home in Portage.

Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association, Wausau, Marathon County
$251,300
Wausau Area Hmong Mutual Association’s two crews will serve 20
participants and build two new single-family homes in Wausau.

Western Dairyland EOC, Augusta, Eau Claire County and Merrillan,
Jackson County $201,295
Western Dairyland – Eau Claire County will serve 12 participants and
build a single-family home in Augusta. Western Dairyland – Jackson will
serve 12 participants and build a duplex in Merrillan in partnership with
Bolton Refuge House, Inc. The duplex will be rented to low-income victims
of domestic violence and sexual assault.