Good Works
Alliance Women’s Clinic helps people from all walks of life
Crisis doesn’t discriminate. It can affect people of any age, income level, background, or circumstance. Yet many misconceptions persist about the women and families facing unexpected pregnancies and other difficult life situations. In this month’s Good Works column, Rachel Smith, regional director of Alliance Women’s Clinic, offers a closer look at the people she serves,…
On mission for public to give snakes a fair shake
For many people, the sight of a snake is enough to send them sprinting in the opposite direction. Angela Subjek hopes to slow that reaction long enough for curiosity to take hold. As founder and executive director of Bluff Country Snakes, Subjek introduces people to snakes and other reptiles through educational programs, hands-on experiences and…
Hmong center serves many roles for community
For many families in the Coulee Region, the Hmong Cultural & Community Center serves as both a gathering place and a bridge — connecting generations to language, traditions, and shared history while helping younger community members stay rooted in their cultural identity. Through educational programming, cultural events, and community support, the center preserves traditions that…
Answering nature’s call: Local woman protects environment
Some people find their calling in a single moment. For Roz Schnick, it began early, and it never let go. A lifelong advocate for the environment, Schnick has spent decades working at the intersection of science, stewardship and community action. Her work spans local, regional, national, and international efforts, all grounded in a simple idea:…
Chariots4Hope-WI
In garages and parking lots across our community, something steady and practical is happening, and it’s changing lives in ways most of us rarely see. Chariots4Hope helps people move forward by providing reliable vehicles when transportation stands in the way. What begins with a set of keys grows into something larger: education, mentorship, accountability, and…
Jan Brock’s five decades of community service
For nearly five decades, Jan Brock has simply shown up for the community she calls home. A longtime resident of Onalaska, Jan’s story is one of consistency — working with others, contributing where she can, and being part of the many groups that make community life richer and more connected. From arts and education to…
Breast cancer survivors find strength in La Crosse Mississippi Sisters
On the waters of the Black River in La Crosse each summer you’ll find a boat with a fierce-looking pink dragonhead, its paddlers rising in unison. They are the La Crosse Mississippi Sisters — a thriving sisterhood of breast-cancer survivors who’ve discovered that shared effort, in training and in life, builds its own kind of…
Thousands unite for Rotary Lights’ mission of sharing light and food
Each winter, the Rotary Lights display at Riverside Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin, draws diverse visitors from many states to experience more than 3 million lights, a 140-foot Christmas tree and a host of festive events — all free of admission. Its true brilliance, though, lies in what it makes possible: thousands of community members…
Big Brothers/Sisters make big difference in kids’ lives
Sometimes the biggest difference in a child’s life starts with something small — like an hour a week spent with a trusted adult. That’s the idea behind Big Brothers Big Sisters, which connects young people with caring adult mentors for steady, one-to-one relationships. Here in the Coulee Region, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the 7…
‘Art in the Wild’ expected to come alive in October
This October, in the woods of La Crosse, a skeleton will ride a tall bicycle — powered not by ghostly energy, but by the laughter and legwork of passersby. It’s part sculpture, part playground, and wholly an invitation to slow down, look closer, and remember that art can be just as alive as the people…
