Good Works

  • Logrolling leader champions sport and connection

    World Champion logroller growing a sport and strengthening a community Livi Pappadopolous doesn’t just keep her balance on a log — she’s also mastered the art of building and sustaining a thriving community. As founder and director of Coulee Region Logrolling, and a six-time Logrolling World Champion, Pappadopolous has turned a niche sport into a…

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  • How one La Crosse organization is shaping a greener future

    Carrie Thompson and Sustainability Institute connect people, ideas, and action Picture a community where clean air and fresh water aren’t just a dream but a shared goal. The Sustainability Institute, led by Executive Director Carrie Thompson, is on a mission to make that vision a reality. Since 2012, the institute has connected people, ideas, and…

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  • La Crosse Links Fosters Connections

    La Crosse Links welcomes and connects newcomers Moving to a new community can be daunting. It can feel like starting over when you don’t have a network of friends, know which accountant to hire, or where best to get your children involved in after-school activities. But a new program in the La Crosse area is…

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  • CRITF: Dedicated to serving immigrants

    Coulee Region Immigration Task Force helps immigrants integrate into community The Coulee Region Immigration Task Force knows the cultural and economic vitality immigrants have to offer the region. That’s why they’re dedicated to supporting these individuals by advocating for their rights, educating the public, and helping immigrants integrate into the local area. Through partnerships with…

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  • New Horizons Shelter works against domestic violence

    Domestic violence affects victim, family, community In La Crosse County, as in communities across the nation, sexual and domestic abuse affects thousands of individuals, many of whom suffer in silence. Research indicates that one in five women will experience physical assault by an intimate partner during her lifetime. The impact of this violence goes beyond…

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  • Third Space: Indy bookstore cultivates community connections

    Downtown bookstore serves as a third space Pearl Street Books owner Beth Hartung has created a uniquely welcoming space in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The independent bookstore not only curates new and used books; it cultivates community connections and a joy for reading. Since acquiring Pearl Street Books in 2021, Hartung has turned it into a…

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  • Everybody Can Dance meets special needs

    Finding its groove After 15 years of throwing dance parties for people with special needs, their loved ones, and the entire community, Everybody Can Dance has undeniably found its groove. The nonprofit organization hosts two dances annually in La Crosse, Wisconsin — one in late April and the Oktoberfest Special Fester Ball in early September…

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  • Hmong center strengthens local bonds

    Hmong community integral to La Crosse The Hmong people are an integral part of the greater La Crosse community, and Mai Tia Yang, serving as both a board member and program manager at the Hmong Cultural & Community Center, embodies this connection. Through her and others’ leadership, the center champions a mission to strengthen community…

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  • UW-La Crosse Asian Latinx African Native American+ Womxn group offers opportunity to explore identity

    ALANA, an inclusive, empowering space At the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, ALANA is more than an acronym. It’s an organization created for Asian Latinx African Native American+ Womxn to serve as an inclusive and empowering space for women of color and their allies on campus. They aim to foster a supportive community that…

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  • Friends of the Blufflands dedicated to preservation

    Fostering a life-supporting ecosystem Committed to preservation, Friends of the Blufflands has significantly affected the greater La Crosse area. Through forest management, prairie restoration, and the careful handling of native species, the grassroots nonprofit organization is working to protect and foster a local ecosystem that supports both wildlife and community life. Mike O’Brien is a…

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