Talented students from Madison College’s carpentry program have donated a new storage shed to Porchlight, an organization supporting those experiencing homelessness. The shed will be used to store outdoor equipment and supplies.
Student Lee Namtvedt expressed satisfaction with the project. “I like working with my hands, and watching this shed come together has been an incredible experience. Building the walls and floors is a skill I’ve always wanted to learn,” he said.
The initiative is part of a collaboration between Madison College and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC), which aims to equip incarcerated individuals with skills that can lead to stable employment post-release. Instructor John Stephany noted, “They study and are focused and really into the program… They are truly some of the best students I have ever had the privilege to teach.”
Namtvedt, who completed an 18-week program, has secured employment at a building component factory. He recommended the program for its quality instruction that leads to career opportunities. “The trades need a lot of dedicated men and women… I highly recommend this program; it has top-notch instruction that will lead to a good job and career,” he said.
Kevin Grahn, manager of the Madison College Center for Reentry Education, highlighted education’s role in empowering individuals after incarceration. “This collaboration with the DOC is a fantastic opportunity for these students to further their education and invest in their future,” Grahn stated.
For more information about the Madison College Center for Reentry Education program, interested parties can contact Kevin Grahn at kgrahn@madisoncollege.edu.
