Blog
Bringing La Crosse Black history to life: Darrell Ferguson
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…
Always learning about Black history: Walfsty Pierre
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…
First Friend program bears fruit: Beth Franklin
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…
Faith a part of building strong communities: Pastor Mark Kvale
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…
Third places, where everybody knows your name: Rick Kyte
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…
Fostering community, inclusion and equity in La Crosse: Dina Zavala
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…
Good Works Highlights Social Capital Builders
While La Crosse Community Foundation is best known for grantmaking, supporting local nonprofits, and managing charitable funds well, it has an even bigger goal: making our community the best place it can be. To that end, the La Crosse Community Foundation board of directors and CEO Jamie Schloegel have declared 2024 the year of building…
Adult & Teen Challenge Introduces Therapy Dog Program
ATC Welcomes Four-Legged Staff Member With a grant from La Crosse Community Foundation, Adult & Teen Challenge of Western Wisconsin is integrating a therapy dog program to support individuals in recovery. Ozzie, an Australian Labradoodle, has been training for his new post since August. He’ll become certified this June and enter full-time service. For now,…
Transforming Tragedy into Teaching With Kindergarten Fund
Kindergarten fund will help educate young minds in perpetuity As a kindergarten teacher in the La Crosse School District, Sue Blanchar says she never went to work. She went to school. In fact, she went to school for 34 years, serving as the very first teacher hundreds of area children ever had. It’s a responsibility…
Alzheimer’s fund supports caregivers
From supporting caregivers to becoming one Kathy Lucey has always been a caregiver, caring for her elderly parents, mother-in-law, and aunts. She knows it can be onerous, lonely work, made even more emotionally taxing when the object of your care is one of the people you love most in the world. She has firsthand experience…