DEI Listening forums

Public Invited to County Listening Sessions

Input will inform county’s 5-year equity roadmap

La Crosse County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant is hosting a series of virtual and in-person community listening sessions throughout October.
The public forums will be an opportunity for people to speak about ways La Crosse County can better serve all communities in our county.

“These sessions are open to everyone, and we want as many of you as possible to show up and be heard,” said Chanin Kelly-Rae, the county’s consultant. “This is about finding the tools to build a La Crosse County where all people can be successful.”

Kelly-Rae is working with La Crosse County to create a five-year DEI roadmap with actionable goals to present to the county board. Gathering public input from a broad range of community members is an important part of that process.

“This project shows that La Crosse County is serious about challenging all forms of discrimination,” said Monica Kruse, La Crosse County Board Chair. “I encourage people to get involved to show that empowering diverse perspectives can benefit everyone.”

Seven virtual listening sessions are being organized, plus in-person sessions in La Crosse, Holland, Holmen, and Onalaska. The sessions are open to the public and will be led by Kelly-Rae. People are encouraged to bring ideas on how to make county government more responsive to all communities, and to share their unique perspective on living in La Crosse County.

La Crosse County Virtual Community Listening Sessions (click the link to register/participate):

• Saturday, Oct. 14, 10am: Registration Link
• Saturday, Oct. 14, 12pm: Registration Link

La Crosse County In-Person Community Listening Sessions (registration encouraged but not required):

• Monday, Oct. 23, 2-3:30 p.m., Onalaska Public Library, 741 Oak Avenue South, Onalaska: Register Here]
• Monday, Oct 23, 5-6:30 p.m., Ho Chunk-Nation, Three Rivers House, 724 Main St., La Crosse: Register Here]
• Tuesday, Oct. 24, 10-11:30 a.m. Holmen Public Library, 121 W. Legion St., Holmen: [Register Here]
• Tuesday, Oct. 24, 5-6:30 p.m., HCCA, 1815 Ward Ave., La Crosse: [Register Here]

To learn more about the county’s DEI project, please go to lacrossecounty.org/diversity.

 Eric Timmons, Marketing and Strategic Analyst

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