Maynard and Deb Meyer have called Madison home for more than 40 years. Together, they’ve made a big impact on their small town. Maynard is a founding board member of the Madison Community Foundation, and Deb is the artist for the 2023 Southwest Initiative Foundation holiday card.
Archives for November 2023
What to expect when calling a crisis line
Amy Brustuen with Southwest Initiative Foundation contacted crisis line staff to discuss what happens when a person calls, texts or chats. Crisis lines serve as a lifeline for those navigating challenging times, providing a safe space for expression, validation and support. By understanding what to expect when calling a crisis line, we can empower ourselves and others to seek the assistance.
Kristine Shelstad, Madison
Kristine (Kris) Shelstad of Madison saw the need for a multipurpose space in her community. She was chosen as a 2022-2023 Initiators Fellow, which provided her with funding and technical assistance to bring her social enterprise to life. The Madison Mercantile, known locally as “The Merc,” now houses a coffee shop, stage for live music, multiple business offices, space for community meetings and gatherings, youth hang out space, woodworking shop and more.
Marissa Brown, Lamberton
Marissa Brown of Lamberton recently graduated from the first Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort. Marissa is inspired by the creativity, kindness and camaraderie of her neighbors; she applied to the program to develop her leadership skills to help her community thrive.
Connecting Dreams
Southwest Minnesota is a place of opportunity. Our communities, large and small, are full of dreamers and doers who make our towns stronger and better places to live. At Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF), we’ve been supporting our region’s dreamers for nearly 40 years. Investment, partnership and support from our donors and partners is critical for us to provide the capital, engagement and resources that our amazing communities throughout the region need to achieve their dreams.
Clarkfield Area Community Foundation
The Clarkfield Area Community Foundation is supported by generous donors who care about Clarkfield. Since 2010, CACF has granted nearly $150,000 to support community projects and initiatives in Clarkfield and the surrounding area, and they will be granting an additional $15,000 before the end of 2023.
