Fresh Start - Building Furniture, Rebuilding Lives

This month has been full of meaningful moments at Fresh Start Worx. From celebrating our volunteers and donors to honoring the achievements of our latest Academy graduates, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful this community can be. Below are two events that reminded us why we do this work—and why your support matters.

Earlier this month, we hosted our 2nd annual Volunteer and Donor Appreciation Event, bringing together the people who help make Fresh Start Worx what it is. Volunteers, donors, partners, students, and friends joined us for an evening of good food, conversations, and updates on our organization. One of the highlights was hearing directly from our students in a live interview-style format, where they shared what they’ve learned, what they’re working toward and how FSW was a driving force in that. We were also proud to welcome a major first-time customer who spoke about their experience partnering with Fresh Start and the value our team brings to their business. Our Board Chair closed the evening with words of encouragement and gratitude, reminding everyone why this community matters. We recognized several individuals with awards for their ongoing support, and wrapped up the night with a raffle as a final thank-you to everyone who came out.

Last Friday October 17th, we celebrated the graduation of five students from the Richard P. Garmany Fresh Start Academy. Each graduate received their HBI PACT certificate in front of an audience that included staff, board members, family, and partners including guests from Bank of America. We were also honored to welcome David Polk, trustee of the Richard P. Garmany Foundation, whose presence added meaning to the occasion.

The graduates spoke about their time in the shop, the skills they developed, and the confidence they’ve gained through the program. Some talked about how meaningful it was to contribute to the Hill-Stead fence restoration project, where their hands-on assistance was not only appreciated, it was essential. Their work made a real impact, and being part of a community effort helped them see the value of what they were learning in a new light. During the ceremony, students reflected on how much their skills have improved during the program, and spoke about what the next chapter for them holds. It was inspiring to hear them describe the support they received from Ricardo, Jenna, and the entire shop team how that encouragement created a space where students felt safe to share and proud of what they’ve accomplished.

These two October events, our Appreciation Night and Academy Graduation, reminded us of what Fresh Start Worx is really about: people showing up for each other, learning together, and building something bigger than themselves. Whether it’s a student speaking for the first time in front of a crowd, a donor hearing firsthand how their support makes a difference, or a new customer recognizing the value of our team’s work, every moment added to the story we’re telling together. Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in this mission. We’re excited for what’s next.

With Gratitude, 

Jenna Columbus