Speakers

The La Crosse County Youth System of Care is a voluntary, early intervention program designed to ensure youth remain in school, ready to learn through an integrated system of support designed to keep them out of the criminal justice system, mentally healthy, and safe from abuse and neglect. The overall goal is to provide school and law enforcement with a greater continuum of interventions and engagement responses for chronic absenteeism and delinquent acts in lieu of tickets and arrest.

Bridget Todd-Robbins is in her 10th year as the La Crosse Youth System of Care Administrator, a shared position between La Crosse County Human Services and the School District of La Crosse. In this position she provides interventions and supports for area youth who are at risk of entering the youth justice system.  Ms. Todd Robbins describes her position as one where she gets to “live her values” as so much of the work is centered around advocating for and empowering youth and families in need.  She also participates in collaborative efforts across systems to improve communication, equity and overall supports for youth. 

The Rotary Leadership Series is proud to host journalist, bridge-builder, and author Monica Guzman, who lives for meaningful conversations sparked by curious questions. Her bestselling book, I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, has been featured in The New York Times, The Glenn Beck Podcast, and Reader’s Digest, and was named one of the “10 Best Books to Read Before College” by U.S. News & World Report. Monica, founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, works to help people better understand one another. She also serves as an advisor to Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to depolarizing America, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Viewpoints Project, a nonprofit focused on strengthening curiosity-driven approaches to disagreement in educational settings.

In this engaging 30-minute program, we will “flip the script.” Participants will begin with a real-world conflict scenario they might encounter in their family, workplace, or community. After a brief roundtable discussion, Monica will join the session virtually to respond to participants’ questions and insights. If you’re looking for a thoughtful, practical learning experience about navigating today’s challenges with understanding and respect, you won't want to miss this program.

Richard will talk about the history, mission, and vision of the hospital, the types of care provided, the patients and families cared for in LFHC, the hospital providers, and the goal of having 100% Lao doctors, nurses, administrators, and other medical staff in the next few years.

Richard is a father of three, father-in-law of three, grandfather of nine, brother of two, husband of one; retired pediatrician (pediatric and neonatal intensive care, procedural sedation, and general pediatrics); very part-time medical interpreter (Spanish); 23 year Rotarian; born in Chicago, raised in Syracuse, NY, and continuing to mature over the last 38 years in La Crosse.

Continuing an effort begun by the La Crosse Tribune, our club will honor recipients from local high schools with the "Extra Effort Award".

Students will receive a financial scholarship donated through the generosity of many Rotary Club of La Crosse members.

Recipients will be joined by those who have supported them in their educational journey thus far such as their parents, administators, staff and fellow students.  

This is an ongoing project of our Youth Committee with leadership from Tom Berkedal.

Laura Simon approaches life from humanitarian lenses.  She is an ordinary person trying to do extra “ordinary” things in her circumstances.  By sharing her experiences with generational poverty and complex trauma, she hopes to advocate for awareness, connect resources, and call for action.  She coaches others navigating through divorce, domestic abuse, and other challenging life circumstances.  She teaches skills to reframe challenges into opportunities and to practice resiliency. Her main goal is to Grow Hope to help others transform from surviving to thriving.

Short Bio on Dr. Larry Skendzel

Dr. Larry Skendzel graduated with honors from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1990.  He has worked in hospice medical care for over 30 years!  First in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and for the last 8 years here in La Crosse as hospice medical director.  He loves working with a team of caring providers to put together a care plan for people with serious illnesses that incorporates their values and has a good chance of success!  For him, he sees healing evolve every day and new hope grow in the people he serves!

He and his wife, Missy, have 3 children who are all out in the world doing good things for their communities.  He loves to cook and time around the table with friends and family is such a great time to connect!  He loves Cajun and Creole cooking!  He loves going to music festivals and biking in the area.  Polka, New Orleans and French-Canadian music are favorites.

His personal perspective:   ”I feel so lucky to serve this generous community here in the Driftless!  I am a member of Rotary After Hours and a Youth Exchange Coordinator.”