WC Wisconsin News

A new REACH Service and Resource Center opened in La Crosse, housing several different organizations that aim to assist people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) opened its new REACH Service and Resource Center with the help of federal COVID relief funds that were passed through the state of Wisconsin, according to News 8000. 

“We’re hoping to be able to serve folks at the time they come in and not have to send them to different places around the city. That really helps to do a number of things: Duplicate services amongst our partners, increase the number of services folks are able to access at one time and really better utilize the funds and resources that we’re given in this community," said Lauren Journot, executive director of YWCA, according to News 8000. 

The REACH Center will include organizations such as Catholic Charities, Independent Living Resources, New Horizons Shelter and Outreach Center, the Salvation Army of La Crosse and The Collaborative End Homelessness, according to WIZM. 

Journot and the other women of the YWCA hope that by putting multiple organizations in one building, the new center will provide an ease-of-access for people to connect with the resources they need, without having to waste time by going from one location to another, according to WXOW.