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Couleecap’s History

Decades of Dedication to People, Progress, and Lasting Change in Our Communities

John Young accepts award during a formal meeting in the 1970s. This moment reflects Couleecap’s early leadership and advocacy efforts in advancing community action in the Coulee Region.
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in the White House Rose Garden, surrounded by a large group of legislators, officials, and supporters. The act marked the beginning of the War on Poverty and led to the creation of community action agencies like Couleecap.

Five Decades of Impact

Couleecap was founded in 1966 during the national War on Poverty movement to create local solutions for economic inequality. What began as a small grassroots effort has grown into a leading regional anti-poverty agency in Wisconsin. We’ve launched over 248 programs, supporting more than one million individuals and families with housing, job training, emergency assistance, and more.

Building a Stronger Coulee Region—Year After Year

  • 1966
    A 1966 Head Start classroom scene featuring a group of young children seated at tables with two adults standing behind them. The setting appears to be a wood-paneled room, capturing one of Couleecap’s earliest childhood education initiatives.

    A Head Start Program organized in the Coulee Region, funded through a grant written by Couleecap.

  • A historic photo of the original Wisconsin Coulee Region Community Action Program office building, featuring a simple one-story structure with large front windows and a sign in front displaying the organization’s name.

    One of the first Couleecap offices on U.S. Highway 14 south of Westby.

  • 1970
    A vintage mobile trailer labeled “Rural Health Team” is parked on grass under large trees. The trailer, part of Couleecap’s early outreach efforts, provided mobile health services to rural communities in the Coulee Region.

    Couleecap’s Rural Health Team in 1970s.

  • 1972
    A man in a baseball cap and glasses repairs a window screen on a wooden workbench outdoors in a residential neighborhood, circa 1972. The image reflects the early hands-on work that laid the foundation for programs like Couleecap’s housing and weatherization services.

    Home Weatherization program begins in 1972.

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Corporate / Administrative Office

201 Melby Street, Westby, WI 54667
Ph: 608.782.4877
Fax: 608.634.3134
Toll Free: 866.904.4508

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Couleecap, Inc. complies with applicable laws and regulations for meeting Equal Opportunity Requirements under Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Acts of 1967 and 1975, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. This website is partially supported by Grant Number 2502WICOSR from the Office of Community Services, Community Services Block Grant within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services, Community Services Block Grant. You have the right to file a complaint if you are not satisfied with services provided by the agency, or if you have been discriminated against in employment or service delivery. Click here for the forms.

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All Rights Reserved. Couleecap is a 501c3 nonprofit organization serving the needs of people and families in Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon counties. Website Design, Development, and SEO by The BLU Group - Advertising & Marketing