Madison Reporter

Talented students from Madison College's carpentry program have donated a new storage shed to Porchlight, an organization that supports individuals facing homelessness. The shed will be used to store outdoor equipment and supplies.

Student Lee Namtvedt expressed his satisfaction with the project, stating, "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."

The initiative is part of a collaboration between Madison College and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC), which aims to provide incarcerated individuals with skills that can help them secure stable employment after release. Every year, these institutions donate a student-built structure to a local non-profit.

Instructor John Stephany noted the dedication of DOC students: "They study and are focused and really into the program," he said. “They know that this is a path that is open to them, and they know what they want. They are some of the best students that I have ever had.”

In addition to learning carpentry skills, participants in this 18-week program gain qualifications for various trades in demand within the job market. Namtvedt has already found employment at a building component factory.

Kevin Grahn, manager of the Madison College Center for Reentry Education, emphasized education's role in transforming lives post-incarceration: "This collaboration with the DOC is a fantastic opportunity for these students to further their education and invest in their future."

For more information about the program, contact Kevin Grahn at kgrahn@madisoncollege.edu.