The Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration have pledged $2 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse to help ensure the organization's long-term ability to meet the growing and evolving needs of local youth.
This gift represents an investment in the future, providing critical resources to strengthen programs and help build financial sustainability over the next five to 10 years. The funds lay a strong foundation for the Club's ongoing efforts to secure additional legacy gifts and community support, ensuring every child has access to safe and enriching opportunities for generations to come.
"They take the support received from this community and invest in solutions that disrupt injustice and uplift youth.
No one is denied access to services. The core of this organization is the exclusion of no one."
Earmarked for all local branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, FSPA's investment will directly impact the nearly 4,500 young people served annually through mentorship, academic and athletic enrichment, food security, mental health and wellness support and life skills training: intrinsic tools of community stewardship.
"We believe our shared values, especially our mutual commitment to compassion and serving those in need, make this partnership one of purpose and deep alignment," said Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse CEO, Jake Erickson. "We hope their generosity inspires others to consider how they, too, can leave a lasting legacy for kids in our community."
Says Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration President Sue Ernster about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse, "They are fulfilling our mission of really disrupting our current systems," helping to ensure equitable childhood well-being and development, "so that all can live in a much healthier way."
According to FSPA's commitments to relationships, Gospel living and unity in diversity, Sister Sue parallels the values of both organizations:
- "FSPA is committed to building bridges of relationship, as people of encounter, who stand with all in our Earth community. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse go out to meet the people in our neighborhoods, building partnerships with the schools and institutions of higher learning that serve our kids. The people of this organization live and breathe collaboration."
- "FSPA is committed to joyful Gospel living, to be transformed in love and goodness for all. The ‘why’ of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse is faith. These clubs are bursting with love and goodness, creating avenues for youth to find it, to feel it, every single day."
- "FSPA celebrates authentic unity and diversity by challenging our white privilege, working towards equity and inclusion of all. With a diverse staff, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse live the unveiling of white privilege. They take the support received from this community and invest in solutions that disrupt injustice and uplift youth. No one is denied access to services. The core of this organization is the exclusion of no one."
"May we all pass on the goodness and joy," shares Sister Sue, "that is the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse."
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse provides programming for more than 900 youth daily at eight sites in the greater La Crosse area, including La Crosse, West Salem, Holmen and Onalaska. With core program areas of academics, the arts, workforce readiness, health & wellness and sports & recreation, the organization helps youth reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
Watch the report, "Franciscan Sisters pledge $2 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater La Crosse," at wxow.com.