Students in Kari Reyburn’s section of VUSM Serving the Common Good, who hosted a Neighborhood Fall Bash on behalf of the La Crosse Area Family Collaborative (LAFC) Nov. 20 at the La Crosse Public Library. The event provided free chili and dinner rolls, crafts, games, and an opportunity to take a professional family portrait. More than 60 people were in attendance. The idea for this event came from the LAFC, as social worker Sara Rugg shared that many of the families she works with don't have a family portrait in their home. The class reflected on the important symbol of a family portrait in the home and decided this would be the project they organized. Overall, the students were tasked with coming up with an activity that would bring their neighbors together for family-fun. The class would like to thank the many organizations who helped to make this event a success: Viterbo Alumni Association, the Department of Residence Life, Place of Grace, Fayze’s, Kwik Trip, LAFC, La Crosse Public Library, and several parents of class members.

Students in Viterbo’s social work 210 class, who created a student-led project to obtain supplies, clothing, and cash to help people experiencing homelessness. Cash was used to purchase supplies. Student Meredith Jensen took this project to another level with her work at Riverfront. Check out WKBT's coverage of her work. Students in the class examined complex issues involved with individual, group, agency, and community initiatives around homelessness.