La Crosse Area Latino/a Collaborative

A page within Latin American Studies

The La Crosse Area Latina/o Collaborative is a joint initiative of the UWL Institute for Latin American and Latino Studies and the Viterbo University Latin American Studies Program. Its purpose is to collaborate to increase awareness of the growing Latina/o presence in region. Activities include community outreach, programming, creation of a database of community groups working on Latin American and Latina/o related projects, and an annual conference on teaching, service, and research in Latin American and Latina/o Studies. The electronic resource guide to Latina/o serving businesses and agencies in the region, below, is funded with a grant from the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities at UWL.

List of Community Resources for the Latina/o Community. While many Latina/os are proficient in English, where available, we have indicated individuals who are designated as Spanish/English bilingual interpreters.

Hospitals, Clinics, and Community Health Centers 

La Crosse

Mayo Health System  (formally Franciscan Skemp) 
700 West Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601 
Contact:  Art Peak, Limited English Proficiency Coordinator, (608) 392-9505 
Ask him for language assistance or discuss any perceived discrimination problems with him.

Gundersen Lutheran
1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601 
Contact:  Please call (608) 782-7300 or (800) 362-9567 for interpretation service. 
An interpreter will be provided for the call and for your appointment

St. Clare Health Mission
916 Ferry Street, La Crosse, WI 54601 
Contact: Please call (608) 791-9544. No interpreters on site. 
Open from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday. 
This is a free health clinic that provides care to those with no insurance.   

Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Community Acupuncture
Jackson Plaza, 1011 East Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601 
Contact:  Call (608) 738-6372 
Bilingual services available (English and Spanish)

Sharon's Wellspring of Peace Massage
Jackson Plaza, 1011 East Avenue South, La Crosse, WI 54601 
Contact:  Call (608) 797-6554 
Bilingual services available (English and Spanish) 
Integrative Therapy Clinic and Maya Abdominal Massage

Norwalk

Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers
200 West North Street, Norwalk, WI 54648  
Contact: Full time interpreter at (608) 823-7853  

Cashton

Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers
238 Front Street, Cashton, WI 54619 
Contact:  Full-time interpreter at (608) 654-5100

Restaurants and Businesses 

La Crosse

Burrito House

1205 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-1622

Tequila Mexican Restaurant

515 West Avenue North, La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 796-2961

Fiesta Mexicana

5200 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 788-3268

Onalaska

Manny's Mexican Cocina

301 Hampton Court, Onalaska, WI 5465

(608) 781-5601

Tequila Mexican Restaurant

425 2nd Avenue South, Onalaska, WI 54650-3215

(608) 783-1750

Sparta

El Vallarta Mexican Restaurant

223 North Black Rivers Street, Sparta, WI 54656

(608) 269-0547

Tienda Elvira

515 W Wisconsin Street, Sparta, WI 54656

(608) 269-3076 

Viroqua 

Chilito Lindo

747 South Main Street / Viroqua, WI 54665

(608) 637-7005

Norwalk

Los Tres Garcias

109 Main Street / Norwalk, WI 54648

(608) 823-7969

Arcadia

Mini Market San Juan

306 W Main St / Arcadia, WI 54612

(608) 323-3832 

Del Río Mexican Store

102 W Main St / Arcadia, WI 54612

(608) 323-2030 

Unique Food Concepts

623 East Main St / Arcadia, WI 54612

Independence

El Ranchero Restaurant and Cantina

23798 Washington St / Independence, WI 54747

(715) 985-2382 

La Hacienda Club Midway LLC

23251 Whitehall Rd / Independence, WI 54747

(715) 985-2212 

Mexican Grocery Stores

 

Sparta, WI

La Pasada Grocery Store

317 E Wisconsin Street, Sparta, WI 54656

(608) 269-2411

Madison, WI

El Mercadito

916 Whitney Way, Madison, WI

(608) 441 7375 

La Hispana Grocery Store

4512 E. Washington, Madison, WI

(608) 241 4554 

La Regional

1417 Northport Dr., Madison, WI 

Mercado Marimar

2102 S. Park St., Madison, WI

(608) 221 2203

6713 Odana Rd, Madison, WI

(608) 833 4059 

Super Tienda Latina

6005 Monona Dr., Madison, WI

(608) 221 2203 

Yue-Wah Oriental Food

328 S. Park, Madison, WI

(608) 257 9338

St. Paul, MN

El Burrito Mercado

175 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul, MN 55107

(651) 227 2192

Legal Resources 

Purpose:  Direct legal assistance, including naturalization adjustment of status, family-based petitions, renewal of green card, VAWA petitions for immigrant women who fall victim to domestic violence, and referrals as needed.
Contact:  Immigration Atty. Chuck Berendes can be contacted at Catholic Charities (608) 782-0710.  For additional information visit  http://www.cclse.org/         
 
Purpose:  Participate in public service designed to assist other Latinos, Increase the number of Latinos at UW law School, Advocate rights of Latino community
 
Purpose:  Advance the professional development of its members, Advise on issues of interest to Hispanic community
Contact:  Attorney Carlos A. Ortiz, c/o Hinshaw and Culbertson, LLP100 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 2600, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Telephone: (414) 276-6464
 
Purpose:  Organize Hispanic attorneys, judges, law students, and members of Hispanic community into a force for professional and community benefit, Serve as advocate of Hispanic community in MN
Contact:  P.O. Box 14750, Minneapolis, MN 55434
President:  Mara Garcia Kaplan, Telephone: (612) 307-5491            

Social Services Agencies 

New Horizons Shelter and Women's Center provides safety and services to adults and families who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and harassment so that they can make decisions about their lives in a supportive, nonjudgmental and empowering atmosphere. They promote the concepts of non-violence and equality through intervention, prevention and education.
24 Hour Crisis Line:  608-791-2600 or 1-888-231-006
Services include:  Shelter, Women's Center/Annex, Support Groups, Resource Advocacy, Legal Advocacy, Children's Advocacy, Diversity Outreach Advocacy, Transitional Housing Advocacy, Volunteer Coordination, Donation    Center, Community Education
Contact:  P.O. Box 2031 La Crosse, WI 54601
Telephone: (608) 791-2600
Fax:  (608) 791-2619 
 
Place of Grace is a Catholic Worker House founded on the examples of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin. Place of Grace offers hospitality three days a week and one Sunday a month (1pm-5pm). During each day the community gathers to share in a meal and build relationship. A Place of Grace accepts any and all volunteers during open hours. Volunteers needed for meals, clean up, and other activities.
Contact: 919 Hood Street
Telephone: (608) 782-6224
 
Couleecap helps people in need with housing, food, transportation, and more. The majority of the programs are designed to help low-income families and individuals on their path to self-sufficiency. Each program has income eligibility, and other guidelines, which can vary from program to program. Please visit the website for specific program information.
 
Contact: 700 N. 3rd Street, STE 202B, La Crosse, WI 54601
Telephone: (608) 782-4877
 

Arcadia School District

Contact: Olga Dedkova Hasan, Telephone: (608) 323-3334, Email: dedkovahasano@arcadia.k12.wi.us

ELL World History: Jane Bautch, Telephone: (608) 323-3334, ext. 3232

Read 180 Program: Joanna Klein

Gale/Ettrick/Trempealeau School District

Contact: Pupil Services at (608) 582-4290

Holmen School District

Contact: Kathy Muliner, Telephone: (608) 526-1368

La Crosse School District

Contact: Rob Tyvoll, Telephone: (608) 789-7630

Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District

Contacts: Tom Peterson (ESL teacher) & Aida Williams (interpreter)

Onalaska School District

Contact: John Homan, Telephone: (608) 783-4571 ext. 5031

Sparta School District

Contacts:

Michael Castle (District ELL), Telephone: (608) 269-2185

Katie Kusilek (Lawrence Lawson ELL), Telephone: (608) 269-3181

Katie Snow (Southside ELL), Telephone: (608) 269-8186

Daniel Gatica (Bilingual Educational Assistant District), Telephone: (608) 269-3181

Tomah School District

Contact: Tania Anderson (Head of ELL program/provides translation)

West Salem School District

Contact: Lynn Brown, Telephone: (608) 786-1220

 
 

Religious Services in Spanish  

Roman Catholic Services and Parishes with Hispanic Ministries 

La Crosse Diocesan Hispanic Ministry

Arcadia

Holy Family Parish

(608) 323-7116

223 East Maple Street / Arcadia, WI 54612

Fr. Michael Klos

Every Sunday at 12:00 PM

La Crosse

St. James the Less church

(608) 782-7557

1032 Caledonia Street / La Crosse, WI 54603

Fr. Carlos Román, (787) 627-8141

Every Sunday at 12:30 PM   

Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe

5250 Justin Rd / La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-5440

4th Sunday of the month at 11:00 AM      

Sparta

Saint Augustine of Hippo

(608) 823-7906

W109 County Highway U / Norwalk, WI 54648

Fr. Carlos Román, (787) 627-8141 

Fr. Keith Kitzhaber, (608) 633-4619

Every Sunday at 4:00 PM

Wausau

Saint Matthew Parish

(715) 842-3148

229 South 28th Avenue / Wausau, WI 54401

Fr. Robert Thorn

Every Sunday at 12:00 PM

Eau Claire

Saint Mary Parish

(715) 855-1294

1812 Lynn Avenue / Altoona, WI 54720

Fr. Joseph Redfern       

1st Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM

Richland Center

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(608) 647-2621

160 West 4th street / Richland Center, WI 53581

Fr. Carlos Román, (787) 627-8141, padrecroman@yahoo.com

1st Sunday of the month at 7:00 PM 

Thorp

Saint Bernard Parish

(715) 223-3331

400 North 2nd Avenue / Abbotsford, WI 54405

Fr. Enrique Castro, (715) 316-2351, ecastro_cuba@yahoo.com

Every Sunday at 1:00 PM

Durand

Holy Rosary Parish

(715) 672-5640

N6235 County Highway V / Durand, WI 54736

Fr. David Rybicki, drybicke@yahoo.com

3rd Sunday of the month at 1:00 PM

Alma Center

Immaculate Conception

(715) 964-5201

341 West Main Street / Alma Center, WI 54611

Fr. Enrique Castro, (715) 316-2351, ecastro_cuba@yahoo.com

Every Saturday at 4:30 PM

Spanish speaking Roman Catholic priests

Fr. Enrique Castro , (715) 316-2351, ecastro_cuba@yahoo.com

Fr. Carlos Roman , (787) 627-8141, padrecroman@yahoo.com         

Fr. Jose Hirsch , (608) 343-0627, jhirsch@dioceseoflacrosse.com

Fr. Hector Moreno , (608) 526-4424, morenoh@juno.com

Fr. Robert Thorn , (715) 842-3148, rcthorn@juno.com

Fr. Michael Klos , (608) 323-7116, frklos@holyfam.com

Fr. Keith Kitzhaber , (608) 633-4619, kkitzhaber@hotmail.com

Fr. David Rybikki , (715) 672-5640, drybicke@yahoo.com

Fr. Joseph Redfern , (715) 855-1294, damianjosephredfern@hotmail.com

Fr. Robert Weighner , (608) 788-7700, frweighner@gmail.com

Fr. Robert Letona , (715) 344-6115, rmline1@yahoo.com   

FSPA (Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration)  St. Rose of Viterbo Convent

912 Market St / La Crosse, WI 54601

(608) 782-5610

FSPA has a number of affiliates with an interest in Hispanic/Latina/o community members including: 

8th Day Center for Justice 

205 W. Monroe / Chicago, IL 60606

(312) 641-5151

Contact:  Liz Deligio, FSPA JPICC Coordinator, eininn@gmail.com, Sharon Chavolla, FSPA Affiliate, shoshanama@yahoo.com, Violeta Abitia, FSPA Affiliate, veabitia@gmail.com

Other Religious Denominations 

Iglesia Evagélica Libre "La Cosecha," (Harvest Evangelical Free Church, Evangelical Free Church in America, Forest Lakes District)
123 Main St PO Box 73, Norwalk, WI 54648-0073
Contact:  Pastor José Reyes, ( 608) 823-7512, josereyes2767@yahoo.com
 
Iglesia Hispana Pentecostés  "Lirio de los Valles"  (Iglesia Hispana Pentecostés) 
35567 Fourth St., Independence, WI  54547
Contact: Pastor Héctor López, (698) 931-3353
Tuesday prayer 6 PM, Sunday School 10 AM, Sunday worship 1 PM
 
St. John's Episcopal Church, Sparta, Wis.   (Episcopal Diocese of Eau Claire)
322 North Water Street, Sparta, WI 54656-1741
Contact: Rev. Janet Sterken, Deacon, sterkjl@charter.net or sjecsparta@charter.net, (608) 269-4266
Spanish Mass Sundays 12:30 PM 
 
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
21 North Hill Street La Crescent, MN  55947
Contact: (507) 895-4440, Fax: 507.895.3290, popchurch@acegroup.cc
Free English classes and dinners available in the Fall (call for schedules)
 

Regional Newspapers

The Spanish Journal - Milwaukee, WI
Available in SPA and ENG, 1-800-819-NEWS (1-800-819-6397)
La Comunidad News - Madison, WI
Contact: 1117 South Park Street, Madison, WI 53715, Telephone: (608) 255-2805
Contact: 1017 South Park Street, Madison, WI 53715, Telephone: (608) 255-0611 and (608) 442-3384
 
SPA and ENG newspaper
 
SPA and ENG newspaper 

Latino Radio Stations 

 

 

 

WDRT 91.9 FM - Viroqua, WI

Saturday 9:30-10:30 AM: La Mezcia, Radio en Espanol, Hosted by Denis and Karina

Monday 7:00-8:00 PM: Putumayo World Music Hour, Latin, African, Reggae, Celtic and other world music compilations, Hosted by Dan Storper and Rosalie Howarth

 

Online Latino Radio Programs 

WJTI 1460 AM Milwaukee Spanish Radio

El Fonografo 1150 AM (Mexico City)

Radio Mexico Internacional

Radio Exterior de Espana

Radio Nacional Argentina, Folklorica 98.7 FM

Radio Caracol Colombia

Radio Havana Cuba

Radio HCBJ La Voz de los Andes (Ecuador)

Compiled thanks to a grant from UWL College of Liberal Studies.

Data entry by Max Nobiensky, ILLAS Student Assistant; External Consultant, Violeta Abitia; and Victor M. Macías-González, Director of Eagle Mentoring Program