This Week: Rick Diermeier - Haven for Special People
Brief history of Haven for Special People and update on the Haven on Main Project: Haven for Special People is a like-minded group of parents, friends, and educators uniting around a common goal of providing a life-long residential community for people with disabilities living side by side with people who are not disabled. Our board member parents of children with special needs know first-hand the challenges and concerns for their children as they grow older and want them to live independent, purpose-filled lives. Since our first meeting in 2022, we remain focused on the ision that the challenges of a disability should not prevent individuals from living in their own home in a community of their choosing. We believe that inclusivity is the key and that all residents benefit from living in a “neighborhood in a building”. We also believe in extending this inclusivity to include the economic spectrum as well and will offer rent profiles that cover a wide range.
Rick Diermeier has been involved in the Onalaska community since making it home in 2004. He served as CEO at L. B. White Company for seven years and on the boards of: Mayo Clinic La Crosse Foundation, Outdoor Recreation Alliance and La Crosse County Sustainability Commission. Since retiring from his corporate career, Rick is proud to serve as the Vice President of the Flyway Trail Board of Directors. the La Crosse County Committee on Transit and Active Transportation and as a member of L. B. White’s Board of Directors.
In 2021, Rick attended the grand opening of Home of Our Own in New Glarus where the daughter of close family friends had recently relocated. Despite being largely non-communicative and requiring 24 hour care, she was thriving, living independently in her new home. After touring her apartment and community spaces and meeting her neighbors, Rick left confident that this building was really a supportive and vibrant village that would drive positive change in many families’ lives. Home of Our Own’s founders, Mary Anne and Susan expressed their desire to help others to build inclusive “neighborhoods in a building” like they had done in New Glarus.
Returning home from that grand opening night, the idea for Haven for Special People sparked for Rick and Julie. They are determined to create a safe haven in the Coulee Region that will empower young people to live their lives to the fullest, no matter their level of abilities.
Sue Rieple Graf is the founder and Executive Director of WINN (What I Need Now), a mobile mission to care for our un-sheltered neighbors. We seek out and serve our un-sheltered neighbors where they are and accept each individual as they are. Sue has lived in the Coulee Region most of her life and is a graduate of La Crosse Central high school and Viterbo University. Sue and her husband, Tim have 2 grown daughters, Racheal and Anjela. Sue has volunteered/worked with our un-sheltered neighbors for 14 years. Sue received a Distinguished Alumni - Spirit of St. Francis award and the Hometown Hero award for her work with the homeless community. (you can include or take out what you think is appropriate)
Lunch this week: Chicken Salad Croissant, with kettle chips and a pickle
Coffee, ice tea, and water available.
Guests are ALWAYS welcome! RSVP in advance to Niki Pohnl if know you are bringing guests but last minute invites are also welcome!
Club Social!
Thursday, April 10th
5-6:30pm, Waterfront!
Hope you can make it!
TriCon - Registration Closes April 14th!
TriCon is April 25-26 in Brookfield, WI and we could love for you to join us there! As a member of the three represented districts (6220, 6250, 6270), we invite you to come together for a weekend of lively discussion, educational sessions, and tons of fun and networking. Come and be inspired by the plenary speakers and be exposed to the true breadth and depth of Rotary International through the many breakout sessions. We have 14 people registered from our club so far and our delegate spots are fulfilled. Please note that pricing will go up at the end of the week so REGISTER NOW if you can go!
Quarter 4 Invoices
Watch for your Quarter 4 Rotary invoice in your email sometime this week. If you don't see one by Friday, reach out to Niki Pohnl please so we can make that connection.
Climate Roundtable - April 17th, 11:15am
A third of U.S. food is wasted. Join members of the Climate Team to talk about Food Waste and actions we can take in our homes to move toward zero waste.
*Climate Roundtable – Food Waste, April 17th , 11:15am (prior to noon mtg) *The Climate Team will offer periodic roundtable discussions before/after our noon meetings to talk about climate issues relevant to our lives and what we can do. All are welcome. Come and learn. Come and share your ideas.
Al's Musky Committee is accepting applications for the 2025 challenge. If you or someone you know might qualify, consider the impact being a recipient could mean for your organization. Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible to apply:
eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions as evidenced by 501c3 public charity status
can demonstrate experience serving the youth of the Coulee Region
operate in alignment with the Rotary International mission to provide service to others,
promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace
The Humanitarian Committee is coordinating a collection to support last week’s speaker Sue Graf and the local non-profit WINN (What I Need Now). WINN visits local encampments and parks to deliver water, basic clothing, blankets, hygiene and first aid supplies, and other essential items to our unhoused neighbors.
WINN is currently in need of new or gently used backpacks and personal sized bug spray.
The Humanitarian Committee will be collecting these items through April 24 and invites you to participate in this drive. Please be generous and help fill WINN’s yellow van.
You may also contribute funds through Niki or VENMO the club at @RotaryClub-LaCrosse, #4491.
THANK YOU to our Rotary team who volunteered last week for Ifeed Food Packing. It was quite the process! What a great group of people to work along side. CLICK HERE for more pictures.
Rotary Youth Exchange News
Member Spotlight
Let's Celebrate!
Active Rotarians
182
Honorary Rotarians
15
Rotary Attendance
112 between in person, guests, and Zoom
Come join us for an unforgettable night and make a difference in the community!
Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities available at http://holmenarearotary.org/ or call (608) 780-1628
Contact Bill LaRue for tickets or more information!
FOUNDATION MINUTE: April 7, 2025
Welcome to Week TWO of RI’s Month of Maternal and Child Health.
A $250,000 check was presented to the West Maui YMCA for its Community Center
Partnership Park. The check, from Rotary D5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief Fund, will support the construction of a Dual Modular unit that will serve as both a youth space, office space, flexible program space and an additional covered area for the community. “The West Maui YMCA Community Center Partnership Park will provide a much-needed community meeting and program space in support of positive mental health for Lahaina residents recovering from the fires of 2023,” said Steve Scraggs, Chief Executive Officer of Maui YMCA. “With so many suffering with mental health concerns, creating a peaceful green space in Lahaina is important to this project,”
organizers said.
One of the facilities already under construction at the West Maui YMCA facility is the Maui Calm Project. The project, which received a $25,000 contribution from the Rotary D5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief Fund, will provide floatation therapy at no cost to Maui residents, first responders and wildfire survivors—a new resource in post-disaster mental health recovery. “There is still so much stress and trauma from the fires, and it brings me great joy to see the YMCA and Rotary come together around mental health.
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