By Richard Carman | Fresh Start Executive Director
Our work during the late summer and fall has demonstrated further growth, new opportunities and exciting developments. Many of our activities have focused on acquiring new staff, and furthering the progress of training five more individuals who have entered the Fresh Start Academy (FSA). We are also evaluating off-site carpentry experiences which include: volunteers, FSA students and existing staff.
As most of you know, we have been working with three refugees for a number of years. These three individuals (two from Syria and one from the Sudan) have grown and assimilated into the american workforce in truly inspirational ways. Not only have they honed their furniture building skills, they have increased their mastery of english, steadily increased their wages, and are celebrating the fact they have now become U.S. citizens.
Three months ago we hired our first refugee from Afghanistan. Khan was employed by the United States military as a carpenter. His military unit assisted in processing his move to the Hartford, CT area. He and his wife have seven children who are now attending school and settling into their new neighborhood. Khan has quickly demostrated his carpentry skills and is learning how to master our machinery and tools also while making new friends within our workforce. His 90-day review was outstanding! We are looking forward to supporting him as he learns new skills and advancing his opportunity for a new career in Hartford. Kahn is supported by a West Hartford community volunteer group (JSSFS) associated with IRIS located in New Haven.
The current class attending the Fresh Start Academy has finished all classroom curriculum and modules. They have been working on the shop floor getting experience by applying what they learned in the classroom. Each student has focused on reading blueprints to build a product that includes custom dovetail joinery. Next week they will be a part of a team that will demolish and replace a porch and roof at a neighborhood victorian home as part of their field experience.
Have a great Holiday season!
From the Crew at Fresh Start Pallet Products
By Richard Carman | Fresh Start Executive Director
By Richard Carman | Project Manager
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