Blog
Aviation Scholarship: A Testament to Never Giving Up
Bernard Kriesel flies high “Never give up!” would be a perfect motto for Bernard Kriesel. It was a saying he exemplified throughout his life. Born on the Fourth of July in 1925, Bernard was the middle of nine siblings. He was patriotic and family-oriented. A man of few words, Bernard lived a simple but bountiful…
New Grant Supports Nerds On A Mission Robotics Team
Grant helps facilitate robotics program expansion It was nerd nirvana today at the La Crosse Center. As 54 teams from five states gathered for the Seven Rivers Regional Robotics Competition, La Crosse Community Foundation announced a grant to Holmen’s FIRST Lego League team, Nerds On A Mission, to expand its program to a younger cohort….
2024 Spring Grant Award Announcement
La Crosse Community Foundation is jumping into spring with a HUGE list of grant announcements! This year is unique because we are in the middle of revamping our grant making process to align with our new strategic plan. Please know, we’re not throwing out the entire grant process. We’re evolving to better meet the needs…
Supportive community leads multicultural students down the right track: Reg Hawkins
Building a supportive community for diverse students As assistant director of retention at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, Reg Hawkins plays a critical role in guiding multicultural students toward a successful college journey. Through the Multicultural Student Services office, he oversees two widely tested, high-impact programs to build a supportive community for diverse students, ensuring…
Salon a hub for community engagement: Choya Woods
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…
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…