2018 Year in Review

1. 2018 Year in Review Caroline Gregerson Community Development Administrator City of La Crosse Planning & Development Department

2. On-Time Spending $2.9 million invested in neighborhoods, housing, economic development, and services $1.395 million earned in program income Every $1 spent leveraged $4.65 in other sources 59% of our funds spent in our Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas

3. Telling our Story

4. Replacement Housing – On Target (32/50) Total= 92 projects since 2015 • New housing built • blight removed and lot sold • Lots Senator Tammy Baldwin speaks with Western Technical College student

5. “This program has been pretty amazing. It also makes me feel pretty good knowing we are helping to improve our city. It’s great to see that the one positive change a group of high schoolers made can help build up a whole neighborhood.” - Central High School student TreytanStalsberg. Danya Day RHP Homebuyer– photo La Crosse Tribune Habitat for Humanity– 912 Avon

6. Deconstruction: Recycle & Reuse 2 full deconstruction projects; 75% or more of a structure is reused and 5% is recycled, diverting 80% of the structure from the landfill 6 partial deconstruction projects; Increased involvement with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

7. Demolition: Blight removal • 19 properties acquired; 16 demolished, 3 renovated

8. “Couleecap staff are very encouraging but honest. They looked at my entire life and goals. This program made sure I could be successful long-term.” - Rose,CHDO Homeowner Rose Reinert—Couleecap Homebuyer

9. “I have had to move my kids around 6 or 7 times from rental to rental. My son got lead poisoning twice. There is no feeling more powerful and desperate than the feeling of we have no where to go. And in that mindset you’d gladly rent a house full of problems as long as you have keys to get inside. Now I know that I am in control of our lives, and the kids are safe. It’s a beautiful home built by thousands of hours of volunteer work. Our house is a visual testament of God’s love for us. ” - Sara, 912 Avon, Habitat Homeowner

10. Housing Rehabilitation– On Target (60/75) • Completed 18 rehab loans + 5 housing renovation= $555,456 in investments • 50 Energy Challenge project completed- $XXXXX savings per year $1.1 million to date

11. “This program has really lifted a weight off our shoulders. We would not have been able to complete this project without the help of the Housing Rehabilitation Program. Traditional financing would have been too much of a burden on our budget. The improvements allowed us to catch up on deferred maintenance and repairs and, with the new windows and furnace, our home is much more comfortable and cost less to heat and cool.” - James and Kathleen, Housing Rehab Clients

12. “Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to have the necessary repairs completed. This program made it possible to turn this house into a home we can enjoy for years to come.” - Nancy, Housing Rehab Client

13. Small Businesses 85+ training, workshops, technical assistance

14. “WWBIC was willing to work with me to find a financing solution for my business that fit my situation.” -Kait, downtown business owner “This program (Coulee Co-Starters) gave me the tools and perspective I needed to put me on the path of starting my own business. The class was invaluable given the wide range of information provided- from guest speakers to professionals, plus the benefit of sitting with my classmates.” Pop-Up Shop

15. Affordable Rental Housing Built 110/200 units falling short of our goal, especially units for homeless Garden Terrace Apartments Tour– Under Construction—50 units of affordable housing—photo credit La Crosse Tribune

16. Smarter solutions for the homeless- exceeding goals • $267,000 invested in rental assistance and case management services • 18 homeless households housed (18 months) (Of total, 1 died, 1 returned to homelessness, 1 jail) • $824 per month per household • Estimates: $2000 per month for someone to live on the streets and in shelters (police, emergency rooms)

17. “I started in the mirror and I didn’t like what I saw. But (Isaac and Kael), they never gave up on me. This housing gave me hope again. If it wasn’t for this program, I don’t know where me and my children would be. ” –Shiree (Family Voucher, La Crosse Area Family Collaborative & Couleecap)

18. “I pretty much had nothing and nowhere to go. This (housing) gave me room to find myself, grow, and start over. Just having a roof over my head that was mine, where I could feel safe, was such a relief ” –Lois (Couleecap, Family Voucher)

19. “I am so grateful for this program. I don’t have to worry about Landon (son) getting accidentally poked by dirty needles, sick from other people’s cooking, or people stealing from me.” –Sylvia, family voucher (Catholic Charities case management)

20. Elizabeth’s Letter • Brad

21. Public Services- Goals Unmet

22. Public Services • 1780 in emergency shelter services (decrease) • 2504 others served (youth, families, elderly) Kane Street Garden Learn to Grow Partnership

23. Ciarra “Youth of the Year” (Boys and Girls Club)

24. Last 2018 accomplishment… Frances Isabelle Thank you: Tara, Kevin Conroy, Kevin Clements, Dawn, and Ashley

25.  “Everybody wants to eat but few are willing to hunt.” As a 7 year-old child, I remember these words directly coming from my brother. As I grew older, I understood the important lesson behind those wise words. I realized I needed to work hard to get to where I wanted to be in life.       My brother who I once looked up to, lived a life style of gang violence that sent him to jail for 5 years of my life. Because of these decisions, my mom made the choice to move our family to protect us from the toxic environment he created. When I moved to La Crosse, I was seen as a kid who came from the projects. In this largely white community, I was the only African American in my class. Without a chance to show my true self, I was often times labeled as a troublemaker, who was loud and disrespectful. I have always been “street smart” but when it came to school work, I struggled. Growing up nobody ever read me to me or even taught me how to write my name. My explosive anger came from being academically behind my peers, on top of the trauma I was facing at home. Luckily, when I was 8 years old, the school encouraged my mom to sign me up for the Boys & Girls Club. This decision changed my life. Growing up in a destructive home, the BGC was the only place I felt truly safe. At the age of 12 years old, I began to realize I needed to be the stable foundation my family needed, that meant maturing quicker than others around me. Alcoholism was taking over my mom which put me in a position where I had to step up and take care of my little brother.  The BGC helped me in all types of ways. They provided caring adult staff who gave me emotional support and even hooked me up with my first job as a scorekeeper. Most teens at this age would spend their first paycheck on the latest Jordan’s, instead, I spent mine on putting food on the table for my siblings.  Today I am proud to say that I now serve as a staff member for nearly 100 youth in the La Crosse Community. I am not only a staff, but a caring mentor who kids come to for advice and support. I have built a reputation within the BGC growing from a “Club Kid”  to a staff leader. I am here to lead a legacy. Imagine waking up every morning looking into the mirror only to see your problems. Like drugs, alcohol, poverty, crime, and hate. That was my reality and wake up call to step up. I am a young leader moving in the right direction. The legacy I want to leave behind is the one that inspires today’s youth to be their best self. I want the younger generation to understand they can have hope and dream big no matter their struggles. Leaders use their voice to make a change and I use my voice to inspire those around me. 

26. I remember how I came to meet you and the staff at CouleeCap like it was only yesterday, "my blessing" is what I call it. I was beginning the slow scary process of rebuilding my life. Where do I start? How do I ever reclaim what I allowed myself to lose? Then as luck would have it a place opened up in your New Hope program and I was accepted. I came to you at the lowest point in my life. I had lost my home and the respect and support of my family due to poor choices I had made in the depths of my addiction and poor mental health. I had been living on the street and I was scared and alone. I couldn't go on like that anymore and the first thing I needed was a safe sober place to live. I had tried the Salvation Army, couch hopping, the warming center. None of these experiences seemed to have positive results for me. I just couldn't do it and keep a job and remain sober, all the things necessary to succeed. I was out of options, But then I found you. CouleeCap gave me the courage I so desperately needed to start over. And with the help of my caseworker Pa Kou Lee, I soon had an apartment and a job. Neither of which I had had in over three years and then things began to change for me. This opportunity allowed me to concentrate on the importance things, staying sober and rebuilding my relationships. Meeting with Pa weekly, helped me so much because she was a great listener and I could talk to her about anything. She was always there with suggestions and encouragement. She helped me work on a budget and helped me through some tough times, but she also made me accountable, I had responsibility again and at that time it was what I needed. I could see there might still be hope for me, a future! All I needed was someone in my corner to show me that change is possible, that if you work hard and do the right things, make positive choices anything was possible. Sincerely, Elizabeth