What do a mechanic, a language table, and a reporter have in common?

July 31, 2025

By La Crosse Community Foundation

Four grant-funded projects, one shared goal

At first glance, a mechanic, a language table, a reporter, a back-to-school bash, and a health educator might seem like they’re working in different lanes. But together, these local efforts reflect a shared theme: building community resilience by increasing access, connection, and voice.

This season, we’re proud to highlight four grant-funded initiatives that go beyond meeting individual needs to strengthen community life in La Crosse and beyond.

Chariots4Hope‘s Vehicle Repair Program ensures that low-income families can access safe, reliable transportation not just for emergencies, but for everyday life. Their newly funded expansion supports the essentials: insurance, utilities, and wages for a skilled part-time mechanic whose expertise makes otherwise impossible repairs… possible.

The Badger Project, through the La Crosse County Investigative Journalism Project, is equipping our region with something just as essential as transportation: trusted information. Their new grant supports the production of five in-depth investigative articles that illuminate local government issues, promote transparency, and keep democracy healthy from the ground up.

Cia Siab Inc. continues to nurture cultural strength and intergenerational connection through its Hmoob Language Table, a weekly gathering that invites youth, adults, and elders to share language, stories, and identity in a way that keeps culture alive and community strong.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is expanding its reach to connect youth and young adults with trusted, inclusive information about sexual and reproductive health. Their outreach spans schools and nonprofits and includes participation in G.E.T. Fresh, a vibrant back-to-school bash focused on BIPOC families in La Crosse, offering resources, supplies, and a celebration of readiness and belonging.

Each of these projects addresses a distinct need, yet all share a common commitment to equity, voice, and connection. Whether under the hood of a car, around a round table, behind a news desk, or at a school gym, these initiatives remind us: Strong communities are built when people have what they need to move, to communicate, to learn, and to belong.