Good Works

Community engagement, inclusivity at core of business model As the founder of Melanin Beauty Bar, Choya Woods has created a space not just for beauty services but also as a hub for community engagement and support. Woods’s approachable personality and background in performance arts make her a natural at connecting with people. And she does […]

Children’s books to capture La Crosse Black history stories Since 2018, the Enduring Families Project, founded by Denise Christy Moss and Rebecca Mormann-Krieger, has worked to build a more cohesive multicultural community by bringing to life the stories of African Americans in the early days of La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Enduring Families Project performs monologues […]

Every month is Black History Month For Northside Elementary social worker and family man Walfsty Pierre, every month is Black History Month. Pierre, who juggles his professional duties with active participation in community events celebrating diversity, is deeply involved in La Crosse’s Juneteenth festival and the Enduring Families Project. His journey with these initiatives began […]

Program builds social capital to attract, retain talent In today’s competitive job market, where workforce shortages are increasingly prevalent, innovative talent attraction and retention strategies are crucial. One effective way to accomplish that is through developing social capital — a concept the First Friend program at the Greater La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce is […]

Building social capital second nature to faith communities Pastor Mark Kvale, who leads English Lutheran Church in La Crosse, Wisconsin, knows the role of faith in helping build strong communities. It’s more than just religious beliefs; it’s a foundation for shared values and principles that bond communities. Kvale’s approach to faith is rooted in inclusivity […]

Where camaraderie and connection thrive Imagine a place beyond the familiarity of home and the routine of work that blends the comfort of the known with the excitement of the unknown. Welcome to the concept of “third places,” a term that captures the notion of those unique spaces in our lives that foster camaraderie and […]

Social capital the ‘glue’ for fostering community La Crosse resident Dina Zavala, an immigrant woman from Honduras, brings unique perspectives to social capital discussions. As the vice president for inclusion, equity and community at Carleton College, and formerly the interim vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Zavala’s expertise is […]