January 24, 2006

WASHINGTON -- Congressman Tom Petri reports that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded a $400,000 grant to Fond du Lac-based ADVOCAP, Inc., to increase funding for ADVOCAP's Fresh Start program.

The non-profit organization's executive director, Michael Bonertz, said that Fresh Start works with at-risk young adults to help them earn their high school degrees and to learn construction skills through on-the-job training building a home. "Generally, it turns around their lives. What we are trying to do is save some kids," Bonertz said.

Currently, ADVOCAP has one Fresh Start construction crew in Fond du Lac County, but the new HUD grant will allow for expansion of the program in that county and potentially into Green Lake and Winnebago counties, Bonertz said.

"This is a good investment," Petri said. "I'd much rather help these young people now instead of taking the chance of having to deal with them through the legal system later."