Causes: Emergency Assistance, Homeless & Housing, Housing Support, Human Services, Job Training, Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Associations (Non-Government)

Mission: Couleecap fights poverty and promotes self-sufficiency for people. We identify needs, mobilize resources, and provide quality services to people and communities in four counties of western wisconsin: crawford, lacrosse, monroe, and vernon.

Programs: Housing assistance includes: transitional housing for 48 homeless households, permanent housing for 53 homeless households that include people with disabilities, rent assistance to 27 households that include people with disabilities; weatherization services to 229 low income households, housing rehabilitation assistance to 88 households; homeownership counseling to 78 people and home purchase assistance to 29 households; 21 affordable rental housing units, serving 21 households; housing counseling services to 533 people; development of 3 single family homes.

emergency assistance includes: food pantries serving 15,156 individuals by distributing 1.83 million pounds of food; 745 farmers market coupons were distributed to food pantry recipients; providing low or no cost clothing to 6,623 individuals; energy assistance payments for 134 low income households; eviction prevention or emergency rental assistance payments for 78 people; emergency furnace repairs or emergency furnace replacements to 241 households; emergency hotel/motel vouchers provided to 54 individuals; assisted 247 people to complete foodshare program applications.

business development, employment, and transportation services includes: 15 loans for purchase of cars needed for employment; business development technical assistance to 115 people resulting in 4 businesses being created; 108 people (including 84 youth) assisted with education, employment, or skill training.

community collaboration services include: participation on local boards, committees, coalitions, and community groups to identify community needs, create partnerships, develop action plans, and leverage resources. 191 community partnerships were established or maintained; 43 households were assisted through our people helping people client needs fund; 47 alcohol compliance checks were conducted in collaboration with other agencies; 3 medication take back days were held in collaboration with law enforcement and health care partners in monroe county resulting in 1370 pounds of medication being collected. Child and family development services include: provided education and training regarding aoda prevention to 2,343 youth. Health services include: assisted 40 homeless disabled individuals to apply for social security disability benefits and medicaid, resulting in 9 individuals receiving benefits; 24 cooking demonstrations were held at our food pantry.