Celebrating

45 Years of service to the community!

2011 Annual Report

Couleecap fights poverty and promotes self-sufficiency for people in the Coulee Region. We identify needs, mobilize resources, and

provide quality services to people and communities in four counties of western Wisconsin: Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon.

M i s s i o n

We dedicate our 2011 Annual Report to the memory of Jack Robinson and Anita Zibton. In 2011, Couleecap was saddened by the loss of two Couleecap Board members. The low-income community and Couleecap have lost two dedicated allies in the fight against poverty. They are truly missed.

February 24, 1966: Articles of Incorporation were filed with the State of Wisconsin for the Wisconsin Coulee Region Opportunity Council (Couleecap).

“This administration today... here and now... declares an unconditional war on poverty in America.” -President Lyndon Johnson

1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act.

President Johnson signs the Economic Opportunity Act.

One of the first Couleecap offices on Highway 14 south of Westby.

1966: A Head Start Program was organized in the Coulee Region, funded through a grant written by the Wisconsin Coulee Region Opportunity Council (Couleecap).

1966-2011 Celebrating 45 years of service

1966 was a year of protests, riots, demonstrations, strikes and boycotts as people became increasingly fed up with the Vietnam War, racial prejudices and the ever-growing concern over inflation. It was also a year of new technology with space travel advancement, launching of communications satellites and medical progress. It was during this time of social unrest and innovation that a dedicated group of local citizens formed to answer President Johnson’s call to fight poverty. The history of Couleecap is the story of people, from diverse backgrounds and of varied political affiliations, working together to help meet the needs of low-income people in western Wisconsin. Today, Couleecap remains true to its heritage. We continue to look for innovative strategies to combat poverty. We are People Helping People, and everyday our work makes a difference in the lives of people and families throughout the Coulee Region. Through our mission and work we take action against the conditions of poverty in our area. John Young Grace Jones Board Chair Executive Director

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1975: John Young was elected Chairman of the Couleecap Board of Directors.

1986: Grace Jones was hired as Executive Director.

Ce l e b r a t in g 4 5 y e a r s !

John Young, Board Chair Grace Jones, Executive Director

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L e a d e r s h i p Couleecap was a pioneer organization, taking on an important mission, but young, untried, and unknown. The dedication of Board members over the past 45 years has helped the agency grow from its humble beginnings. Today, Couleecap is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors comprised of eight income-eligible constituents, eight County Board Supervisors, and eight members representing private groups and organizations.

Crawford County James O’Meara Jane Schaaf Albert Wee John Young, Chair

La Crosse County Bob Brague Charlotte Erickson Maureen Freedland Terry Hicks Monica Kruse Janet Kusch Bill Rudy, Vice Chair

Monroe County Karen Joos Celesta Leis, Secretary Robyn Leis Mary Masters Virginia Zietlow

Vernon County Ellen Barum Karen Dahl Gary Davig Karen Long Barbara Martinez Anne O’Connor Brian Turben

Crawford County Carl Hutchinson A.D. Laacke Arthur Larson

La Crosse County Capt. David Chase Louis Ritter, Sr. Virgil Roberts

Monroe County Mrs. Carl I. Magelee Frank Mitchell Grant Zierfus

Vernon County Elmo Gulsvig Robert Hanson Ed Hofmeister

October 1976: The Wisconsin Coulee Region Opportunity Council (Couleecap) purchased 201 Melby Street, the old Sloan Building in Westby.

1975: Family Planning became an independent agency. Today, it is known as Options Clinic.

1988: Couleecap’s Board of Directors selected Kathleen Trussoni and Krista Porvaznik to receive the agency’s first annual Couleecap Human Service Scholarship.

2010: Couleecap established the John Young College Scholarship fund in honor of his 45 years on the Couleecap Board of Directors.

John Young receives an award on behalf of Couleecap.

Couleecap Board celebrates 25 years. (1991)

Board of Directors

1966 Charter Board Members

October 8, 1970: The first Family Planning recipient was served. Family Planning was an early program with Couleecap, initiated in the early 1970’s.

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In 2011… 37,154 people, or 17,535 households, benefitted from the valuable services of Couleecap. 125,612 hours were volunteered to Couleecap programs. 126 community partnerships were established or maintained between Couleecap and other entities.

C o m m u n i t y In 1966, Community Action represented more than just an agency with programs. It was a new way of reacting to problems and a philosophical concept. Couleecap served as an experimental station in which to explore new ideas. Pilot projects nationwide were initiated in community action agencies. Head Start began as a new idea in preschool education, and Neighborhood Youth Corps and Operation Mainstream were new ideas in job programming. These projects were demonstrat-ed to be successful and worthwhile. Today, Couleecap continues to unite the diverse voices of the Coulee Region, and find new and innovative ways to fight poverty in our community.

1988: Couleecap opened the Sunshine Child Develop-ment Center in Westby to address the growing need for child care.

Head Start children

1990: Head Start became an independent corporation after 25 years as part of Couleecap.

January 1972: The Coulee Region RSVP Program began with Couleecap as the sponsoring agency.

1980s: Couleecap’s Teen Initiative Program was a preg-nancy prevention program for teens emphasizing educa-tion and life planning. Young Winnebago and Hmong women were served, as well as other area young women.

1995: Couleecap facilitated the La Crosse Area Youth Initiative program. This collaboration provided new opportunities for La Crosse area youth.

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E m e r g e n c y A s s i s t a n c e In the early days of community action agencies, and especially in a rural area such as the Coulee Region, outreach provided the foundation for programs. From its earliest beginnings Couleecap has provided emergency assistance and community outreach to low-income people. Identification was the first step in providing services to people. Individuals were contacted in their homes, schools, churches, and made aware of solutions that existed. Outreach workers were knowledgeable advocates for people with needs and the information and referrals they offered truly “helped people help themselves.” Today, Couleecap offers emergency utility payment assistance, food, clothing, and more to people in need.

1974-75: Couleecap outreach workers provided food stamp outreach, Social Security outreach, transporta-tion, and direct health-related assistance to people in need.

1972: The Wisconsin Informational Service in the Coulee Region was a general information center which had 600 agencies on file.

1991: Couleecap began operating the fuel assistance programs for La Crosse and Monroe counties.

In 2011… 2,800 households received energy assistance payments. 738 households received crisis energy assistance payments. 141 households received emergency furnace repair or replacements. 138 households received emergency utility payment assistance. 5,720 people were served at the Bargain Boutique thrift store.

Couleecap and a Minnesota Community Action Program joined forces to obtain a rural health program.

Couleecap operated thrift stores in Crawford, Monroe, and Vernon counties.

1970s: Couleecap was instrumental in helping to start area senior transportation services, nutrition sites, and Meals on Wheels.

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F o o d Food, and people’s access to that food has always been important to Couleecap. From the earliest years ensuring food security has taken many forms. In the early 1980’s Couleecap staff and Board members became increasingly aware that a lack of adequate food supplies was a real problem for people on small or fixed incomes and in emergency situations. In response to that awareness, food pantries were set up in Crawford, Monroe, and Vernon county Couleecap offices. Today, Couleecap continues to operate food pantries in the Crawford and Monroe Couleecap offices. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides food to pantries, meal sites and shelters. Couleecap acts as an Emergency Food Organization handling the distribution of TEFAP food to pantries in the four county area.

1981: President Reagan authorized the distribution, to the nation’s “needy”, of 30 million pounds of surplus cheese. Couleecap distributed a total of 40,950 pounds of surplus cheese to area low-income people.

1974-75: Couleecap provided garden seeds and plants to 424 hungry families.

1983: Couleecap set up food pantries in Crawford, Monroe, and Vernon county Couleecap offices.

2009: “Crawford Markets Care” is an initiative which benefits clients of local food pantries. The program is a collaborative effort between the Crawford County Community Fund, Couleecap, and area Farmers’ Markets.

In 2011… 3,273,682 pounds of food were collected and distributed. 15,911 people received emergency food assistance. 710 farmers market coupons were distributed to food pantry recipients in Crawford County. 32 cooking demonstrations were held at the Monroe County food pantry.

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Employment and training programs have been a major area of emphasis in Community Action work. Beginning in 1966 with a single work experience program (Neighborhood Youth Corps) to multiple jobs programs offered in 1991, a major focus of Couleecap has always been to improve and expand the types of employment and training services offered to Coulee Region residents. Today, Couleecap offers support to people through our Job and Business Development and Skills Enhancement programs. These programs help increase the income and economic self-sufficiency of working poor households by helping them acquire new skills and start businesses.

T r a i n i n g a n d J o b s

In 2011… $92,124.81 was loaned or given out as forgivable loans for business start-up, expansion, or to meet unmet needs. 51 youth received employment and training services. 35 people were assisted with education to improve earnings. 31 unemployed people obtained employment. 14 people received business development assessment, counseling or referral.

1974-75: Couleecap enrolled youth in the summer work experi-ence program. These young people worked in area parks, hospitals, and county township sites, gaining new job skills.

1977: Couleecap initiated Three Rivers Enterprises, a Supportive Work Program. Three Rivers Enterprises employed people to make rubber mats and aluminum combination storm windows.

1986-87: Couleecap’s Dislocated Farmer Program served area farmers, with placement in permanent non-farm jobs.

1967: The Neighborhood Youth Corps Program provided work training experience for youth from low-income families.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds helped area youth find local employment in “green” jobs. (2009)

2000-2011: Couleecap’s Youth Employment and Training (YET) Program assisted youth aged 14-21 with employment and training services.

1995: Couleecap began the Job and Business Development loan program for low-income small business entrepreneurs.

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T r a n s p o r t a t i o n The energy crisis of the 1970’s highlighted how susceptible Americans were to rising gas prices. Couleecap was concerned about the effects gas prices would have on low-income people and those living on fixed incomes and began looking for programs to help. Today, Couleecap believes that the cost of transportation continues to be an issue that effects everyone. However low-income people are particularly vulnerable because they often drive older, less fuel efficient vehicles. The age of their vehicles often makes them prone to break-downs and costly repairs. Low-income people with poor credit have a difficult time qualifying for traditional car loans. This makes them susceptible to pay day loans and other predatory lending practices. For many families a reliable vehicle can be the difference between keeping or losing a job.

In 2011… 13 people received loans to purchase vehicles for work. 23 rides were provided to clients to get to work. 30 people were assisted with car repairs for work.

2008: Couleecap began operating the Work-N-Wheels transportation program. This program provides zero interest vehicle loans and vehicle repair assistance to qualified low- income households.

1975-76: To assist senior citizens in days of high gas costs, Couleecap administered a senior citizen mini-bus program for Vernon County.

Couleecap helps people purchase vehicles.

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W e a t h e r i z a t i o n Couleecap’s weatherization program started by simply providing plastic for homeowners to pick up and install over drafty areas. Home winterization as it was called concentrated on reducing fuel bills for poor people and those on fixed incomes through the conservation of heat energy. “The program shows great potential for expansion and will become a future medium not only for direct winterization services, but for education of all community persons concerned with the world’s energy supply.” 1974-75 Couleecap Annual Report Today, Couleecap’s weatherization program continues to help low-income households realize significant savings in energy bills. Some common services include insulating attics and sidewalls, replacing inefficient furnaces, and providing information about energy conservation.

1973-74: Couleecap’s weatherization program helped address the energy crisis of the 1970’s. Energy conservation continues to be an issue of national concern.

In 2011… 511 homes were warmer and more comfortable from home weatherization.

Home weatherization can reduce the amount of energy used by a home, often by as much as 40%.

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H o m e R e h a b i l i t a t i o n

In 2011… 91 households received housing rehabilitation assistance. 38 households received housing disaster assistance rehabilitation or reimbursement. 14 households received lead abatement activities.

Through the years staff in the weatherization program saw first hand the issue of deteriorating housing stock. Many people in our area were living in older homes. Low-income people struggled to afford the costly and neces-sary maintenance and repairs that come with these homes. In 1992 Couleecap’s Local Housing Organization Grant Program and Community Development Block Grant funds provided home ownership counseling and training for people to buy and maintain their homes. In the years that followed Couleecap worked to secure more funds for home rehabilitation and home preserva-tion. Today, Couleecap’s weatherization and home rehabilitation programs work closely together. As a result homeowners can experience a reduction in energy costs and a boost in their home value.

1986-87: Couleecap’s Weatherization Department was reorganized into a Housing Department, offering a broader range of services. This included the traditional home weatherization services, including furnace repair; home rehabilitation providing more work on a home than the weatherization program could provide; and a new effort to upgrade and weatherize mobile homes.

Couleecap’s home rehabilitation and weatherization programs work closely together.

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H o m e o w n e r s h i p In the late 1980’s Couleecap staff noticed the lack of affordable housing available in our area and began to work on a variety of approaches to increase access to adequate and affordable housing for low- income people. Today, Couleecap helps make home ownership possible for first time homebuyers who would otherwise be unable to afford a home. Couleecap helps income-eligible homebuyers purchase their first home. Couleecap also created the Coulee Community Land Trust whose mission is to provide affordable home ownership in the Coulee Region.

1988: Couleecap turned its attention to the growing problem of affordable housing and ways to keep reasonable housing within reach of low-income people.

2009: Couleecap and the Coulee Housing Development Corporation through the efforts of the La Crosse County Housing Commission, formed the Coulee Community Land Trust (CCLT). The CCLT offers a new and exciting way to offer permanently affordable housing.

1998: Couleecap developed the Lender’s Consortium, a consortium of bankers involved in the Home Buyer program.

In 2011… 533 people received housing counseling. 56 households received foreclosure intervention counseling. 52 households received homebuyer counseling, and down payment and closing cost assistance to purchase homes. 12 Coulee Community Land Trust homes were worked on; 6 of those homes were sold. 8 single family homes were built and sold in Rockland and Gays Mills.

The first land trust home.

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In 2000, Couleecap offered an exciting “New Home Program.” The program was an opportunity for a first time homebuyer to purchase a brand new home at an affordable price. The typical first time homebuyer is generally limited to “starter” home choices, that often need substantial rehabilitation work. The “New Home Program” would demolish two homes in poor condition and replace them with new modular homes. Dan and Betty Kane were looking to become homebuyers. However, after years of work in low paying jobs they had never been able to afford the down payment and closing costs. When they attended the Couleecap open house they fell in love with the home, and the neighborhood which was in close proximity to schools, hospitals, and a major library. After leaving the open house they decided

to go right back in and make an offer on the house that evening. Fortunately they did, and their offer was accepted. The Kane’s were on their way to buying their first home. With the help of Couleecap’s First Time Home Buyer Program, and a low interest rate, the mortgage payments were less than their current rent. Today, Dan and Betty Kane still live in their home. They have made significant improvements to the property and love their home and their neighborhood. Dan stresses that without this program, which made homeownership affordable, he might not have been able to purchase a home. Over twelve years later, when asked if he would do it again, Dan is emphatic that he would. He says, “this program was a hand up for us, and we are delighted.”

Achieving the Dream of Homeownership

2000: Former Mayor John Medinger, Couleecap Board Chairman John Young, and the son of Dan and Betty Kane cut the ribbon to their new home.

The Kane family poses for a picture in front of their new home.

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H o m e l e s s n e s s Early in 1989, Couleecap initiated the New Way project. New Way was a project providing transitional housing and supportive services to homeless families leading to independent living. Emphasis was on women and their children who had been victims of domestic abuse. Three sites (La Crosse, Sparta, and Prairie du Chien) were set up. A fourth site, in Viroqua was added in 1990. Today, Couleecap has expanded its continuum of care for homeless families in our area. Couleecap offers a homeless prevention program, transitional housing, permanent housing for individuals with disabilities, and support for homeless individuals living with a mental illness. Couleecap’s many programs make it a leader in the area of homelessness.

1996: Couleecap began the Emergency Shelter Grant Program to assist people who are facing homelessness.

1999: Couleecap offers new affordable housing for low-income tenants in La Crosse by purchasing 8 rental units on 8th Street.

2010: Couleecap offers new affordable housing for low-income tenants in Gays Mills as part of flood relocation efforts.

1989: Couleecap began the New Way program offering transitional housing and supportive services to homeless families.

In 2011… 189 homeless people received housing and supportive services. 93 households received emergency rental assistance. 18 affordable housing units were maintained and housed 19 families. 14 homeless people were assisted in applying for Social Security disability payments.

The ribbon cutting event for the Safehouse housing in La Crosse.

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P r e v e n t i o n Early on Couleecap saw alcohol and other drugs as a barrier to self-sufficiency. It was important that drug and alcohol issues be addressed in order to break the cycle of poverty, and Couleecap worked to bring programming to our area that addressed these problems. Early programs focused on youth at risk of alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) issues. Over the years, Couleecap has operated prevention programs in Crawford and Vernon counties. Today, Couleecap in partnership with the Monroe County Safe Community Coalition offers AODA prevention programming in Monroe County.

1988: Couleecap began STRIDES, a two year project, to deal with alcohol and other drug abuse prevention in youth.

1989: Couleecap in partnership with Vernon County Partnership Council (VCPC) received a prevention grant for Vernon County. Funds were used for alcohol/drug alliance programs and to help train volunteers to be involved in anti-drug and alcohol abuse activities.

2010: Couleecap began a partnership with the Monroe County Safe Community Coalition to offer drug and alcohol abuse prevention program in Monroe County.

In 2011… 2,177 youth received prevention refusal skill, mediation, and mentoring training.

Monroe County Safe Community Coalition members. (2011)

1990: Couleecap in partnership with Crawford Abuse Resistance Effort (C.A.R.E.) Council received a preven-tion grant for Crawford County. Funds were used for alcohol/drug alliance programs and to help train volunteers to be involved in anti-drug and alcohol abuse activities.

F i n a n c e R e p o r t ( u n a u d i t e d )

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F o r t h e y e a r e n d i n g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 1

Assets:Cash 577,810 Investments (CROPP Stock) 20,000 Grants Receivable 810,343 Other Receivables 241,902 Weatherization Materials 467,122 Construction in Process 565,967 Prepaid Expenses 86,451

Restricted Reserves 19,823 Deferred/Revolving Loans Receivable 5,958,695 Property and Equipment, Net 1,212,236

Total Assets 9,960,349

Liabilities:Accounts Payable 291,386 Accrued Expenses 245,296 Rental Deposits 27,551 Refundable Advances 489,145 Mortgage Payable 1,118,677 Construction Loans Payable 688,745 Deferred/Revolving Loans Refundable 6,208,373

Total Liabilities 9,069,173

Net Assets:Restricted (Endowment) 34,232 Unrestricted 856,944

Total Net Assets 891,176

Total Liabilities and Net Assets 9,960,349

December 31, 2011Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

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Revenue:Grant Revenue 8,571,298 Program Service Revenue 1,085,335 Rents 142,339 Interest 6,607 Contributions 78,380 Other Revenue 960,728

Total Revenue 10,844,687

Expenses:

Specifice Assistance to Individuals 4,129,291 Personnel 4,236,672 Professional Fees 182,884 Supplies 132,655 Telephone 57,159 Postage and Shipping 18,135 Occupancy 76,416 Printing and Publications 23,706 Travel 148,028 Other Expenses 2,010,976

Total Expenses 11,015,922

Change in Net Assets (171,235) Net Assets - December 31, 2010 1,062,411 Net Assets - December 31, 2011 891,176

Consolidated Statement of ActivitiesYear Ended December 31, 2011

F u n d i n g a n d D o n o r s F o r t h e y e a r e n d i n g D e c e m b e r 3 1 , 2 0 1 1

5,000 + Brenengen Auto Group, Sparta Catholic Campaign for Human Development Crawford County Community Fund Franciscan Skemp Healthcare La Crosse Community Foundation Scenic Rivers AHEC 2,500 + Dr. James and Ann DeLine David & Kathryn Thompson People’s State Bank, Prairie du Chien 1,000 + Anonymous Tony and Teresa Brenengen Kimberly Carlson S. Evan Jones & Joel Johnson Heartland Country Co-op La Crosse Area Realtors Association Mathews Manufacturing, Inc. Scenic Rivers Energy Cooperative Wal-Mart Supercenter, Sparta WESCO Home Furnishings 500 + Tamara Dean Tara Johnson and Tim Padesky George and Carmeen Johnston Gary and Grace Jones Gary and Christine Leinberger John and Linda Lyche William and Mardell Winter 3M Prairie du Chien Cabela’s Inc. Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association Gundersen Lutheran Clinic, Prairie du Chien Gundersen Lutheran Clinic, Sparta Kiwanis Club of Sparta Modern Insulation Pete’s Hamburger Stand, Prairie du Chien Terrace Homes Viroqua Lionettes Club

250 + William and Cindy Berg Arthur and Celine Boxrucker Kim Cable Robert Esmond Peter and Janice Gutierrez Jon Howe Harry and Sarah Hughes Fred and Janet Kusch Todd Mandel Tom Mayne Julie Noth Peter and Judith Pomerening Cameron and Carlene Roberts Adamany Enterprises, LLC Brookwood High School Diversity Club Clifton Gunderson, LLP Century Foods Citizens Concerned About Hunger, Prairie du Chien First Congregation Church UCC Great Lakes Higher Education Hebert H. Kohl Charities, Inc. Hofmeister Insurance Agency KADR/KCTN, Elkader Manpower Masonic Temple, Sparta National Association of Theatre Owners of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan PM Metalworks, Baraboo Prairie du Chien Lions Club Reisinger Heating, Inc. United Methodist Church, Prairie du Chien

United Way Agencies

Great Rivers United Way Prairie du Chien Area United Way

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Every contribution is important to us, and your continued support makes our work possible. Regrettably, space limitations force us to confine the donor listing to donations of $250 or more. Couleecap makes every effort to ensure accuracy. Please contact Couleecap at 608.634.7363 with any errors or omissions.

P e o p l e H e l p i n g P e o p l e

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The theme of “People Helping People” has long been a motto for community action agencies. Today, Couleecap’s People Helping People initiative raises awareness and funds to fight the issues of poverty. Our Client Needs fund was established because of the unmet needs that Couleecap program staff were seeing in their clients. These unmet needs were often simple requests that did not cost a lot of money, but Couleecap staff were unable to help due to the limitations of their program and the rules of the funder. A small request which can prevent an emergency situation is better for the well-being of the client and is more cost effective than the person having to access help in an emergency situation. Not all client requests are granted in full. Clients are encouraged to take on some of the financial responsibility when appropriate to the situation. Couleecap staff work closely with clients in these situations to ensure the best use of private dollars and the best possible outcome for the client.

2007: Couleecap established the People Helping People initiative to help raise money for client needs.

In 2011… $68,402.31 donations were received through People Helping People Initiative efforts. 70 households were assisted through the People Helping People Initiative’s Client Needs Fund.

Make a difference 90% of all contributions go directly to serving the needs of our clients.

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