The Lac qui Parle area is participating in Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Project (WICP), a free nine-month initiative designed to empower rural communities to engage in welcoming and belonging efforts that spur economic development, promote community engagement and build thriving communities for new and current residents. Local organizers are looking for community members from Appleton, Dawson, Madison and the surrounding areas to be part of the WICP cohort.
Vibrant Communities
Jackson Snow Angels remove snow, spread kindness
No act of kindness is ever wasted. Paul Spence lives by those words, and it’s the motto for a local nonprofit he helped create called the Jackson Snow Angels that clears snow for older adults for free. It’s a group effort among retirees, business owners, students and public health. In January, the Snow Angels received a grant from the Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Endowment Fund at Southwest Initiative Foundation to help purchase a tractor.
2024 Growing Local: Emerging Leaders
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community, but need the tools and confidence to step into more formal leadership roles? Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is a leadership education program designed just for you. We’ll help you discover and build on your unique strengths so you can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions.
Maynard and Deb Meyer, Mainstays in Madison
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.
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.
Welcoming Week in Kerkhoven
At Welcoming Week in Kerkhoven, a community resource fair featured more than 50 nonprofits, businesses and organizations representing the surrounding Swift County area – from the LifeLink helicopter to local 4-H members. There were prizes, bounce houses and lots of friendly faces, with about 450 people filling the small town’s park.
