For more information contact:
Plum Creek: Christine Wallace (414) 276-6237
Western Dairyland: Jacque Hogan (715) 985-2391
Eau Claire, Wis.-The Plum Creek Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Inc. to fund its Wisconsin Fresh Start program. Fresh Start is a comprehensive program that provides employment, training and education for disadvantaged youth and young adults by teaching them how to build affordable homes in their community.
Plum Creek land asset manager Dan Lemke will present a grant check to Western Dairyland on Wednesday, February 22.
Twenty-four program participants, ages 16 to 24, will engage in both classroom training and learn new home construction techniques. Fresh Start provides the students with academic assistance, career direction, employment training and independent living skills while also allowing participants to receive classroom instruction, technology education and hands-on home building experience.
“The Fresh Start program is driven by both the community’s need for safe, affordable housing while at the same time addressing the need for youth and young adult intervention programs designed to create long-term success,” said Jacque Hogan, employment and training director from Western Dairyland. “Thanks to this generous contribution from the Plum Creek Foundation, the Fresh Start program graduates will re-enter their communities as renewed individuals with an enhanced education, improved work skills and maturity, increased self esteem and a sense of community responsibility. In return, the community will also receive affordable housing for first time, income-eligible homebuyers.”
The Plum Creek Foundation’s grant will be used to purchase housing construction materials for homes that will be built in Eau Claire and Jackson counties.
The mission of the Plum Creek Foundation is to provide philanthropic contributions to support and improve the general welfare of life in the communities that Plum Creek serves. The Foundation board meets quarterly to review applications submitted from organizations in the company’s operating communities. Visit the Community Involvement page on our website at www.plumcreek.com to download an application.
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Plum Creek is one of the largest private timberland owners in the nation, with more than 8 million acres of timberlands in major timber producing regions of the United States and 10 wood products manufacturing facilities in the Northwest.
