Page 244 - 2015 Compass Now

5 | APPENDIX One of the ways in which community feedback was collected was through five separate community
conversations. These conversations were conducted in lieu of the focus groups that were conducted in the
COMPASS NOW 2012 community needs assessment. These small group gatherings were a safe space in
which community members could come together and share their thoughts and experiences about living
in the Great Rivers Region. Below is information about these conversations, as well as the main topics
discussed by participants.
* Indicates the most recurrently identified community asset or need by participants.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION #1

Date: May 14, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Southside Community Center, 1300 S. 6th St., La Crosse, WI 54601
Target Audience/Participant: African American Community
Identified Community Needs:

• Alcohol and drug use
• Children with no direction/guidance*
• Community Communication*
• Education*
• Racial Relations
Additional Feedback/Comments:
Participants recognized the need for more community outlets by youth and youth mentoring coming directly
form positive peers within the neighborhoods vs. outsiders coming in to work with youth. Also, the group
felt more faith-based, neighborhood-focused opportunities to keep youth on a positive path would be
helpful.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION #2

Date: June 26, 2015
Time: 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, 811 8th St. S., La Crosse, WI 54601
Target Audience/Participant: Low-Income Adults
Identified Community Assets:

• Neighborhood
• Resources*
• School
Identified Community Needs:
• Bullying
• Crime
• Housing*
• Jobs*
• Parks
• Roads*
• Trains

236 COMPASS NOW 2015