Promote gardening and gardening/outdoor businesses in their region while raising awareness and funds for the YWCA of the Coulee Region. To learn more about the YWCA, click here.
GardenFest was first held in 2002 at the Southside Oktoberfest Grounds as a fundraiser for the YWCA. A group of volunteers and board members of the YWCA happened to also share a fondness for gardening. Many of the volunteers were Master Gardeners and founded GardenFest based on other gardening events they had visited in other communities.
Proceeds fund YWCA of the Coulee Region programs.
YWCA A-PRO (Adaptive Physical Recreation Opportunities):
A-PRO provides recreational opportunities for physically challenged individuals to encourage independence, enhance self-confidence, and encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. Currently the YWCA provides adaptive activities of handcycling, downhill skiing, and swimming. |
YWCA CASA for Kids (Court Appointed Special Advocate):
CASA for Kids serves children who have been determined by a court to be in need of protection or services. This program trains volunteers to advocate for the best interests of the child and monitor the child’s progress toward a safe, stable, and permanent home. Volunteers serve as observers for the judges who appoint them, meeting weekly with the child and consulting regularly with the child’s support team.
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YWCA Coulee Region Rapids Swim Club:
This competitive swim team provides 5 to 18 year old youth the opportunity to practice and compete in competitive swimming, increasing self-esteem and confidence through opportunities for individual growth and leadership.
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YWCA Teen Services :
There are two categories of the YWCA Teen Services. One category is Teen Empowered, a YWCA teen service which offers three weekly group sessions focusing on identifying issues and problem solving through them. The second category of the YWCA teen services is a program called "Bridges" which is designed to provide one on one mentoring, as well as group situations, that will connect at-risk teenage women to resources and teach basic life skills.
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YWCA Mediation and Restorative Services
This program brings together juvenile offenders, their victims, and others affected by the crime in a face-to-face meeting with a trained community volunteer facilitator. In addition to holding a juvenile offender accountable for committing a crime, the interaction gives the offender opportunity to apologize to all those who have been harmed by the crime, and to come up with concrete ways to repair the harm that has been done.
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YWCA Ruth House
The YWCA Ruth House shelters and supports homeless women who are transitioning from AODA and/or mental health treatment facilities. This safe environment is dedicated to restoring hope through goal directed communal living and learning.
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YWCA Transitional Housing
Women eligible for this program are transitioning out of emergency shelter or incarceration. This program provides financial assistance and support services to single parent homeless women and their children. The Matthew 25 Ministry volunteers provide trained community volunteers to work as mentors providing guidance, support and friendship for women and their families as they work toward self-sufficiency.
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La Crosse County Women’s Community Based Corrections Program
This community based program is designed to keep non-violent female offenders out of jail by enhancing their self-sufficiency and educational/work skills. The YWCA collaborates with La Crosse County to provide a comprehensive collaborative network of services addressing the unique needs of female offenders therefore, increasing long-term success. |
Women’s Athletic Activities (Basketball and Swimming)
Women’s Athletic activities are available for women ages 18 and up. Currently the YWCA offers a Women’s Basketball League on Sunday afternoons in the fall months and a swimming program in the spring and summer months. |