Posted 2:09 p.m. Thursday, May 28, 2015
Amanda Acklin, ’09, always believed in being inclusive, fair and helping others. But studying Asian philosophy and phenomenology at UW-L was when it really clicked. Her classes solidified ideas about how people are connected in the world. Today Acklin is living that philosophy. She’s connecting citizens, local governments, hospitals and other organizations to make La Crosse a better place to live.
[caption id="attachment_4811" align="alignleft" width="700"]
Alumna Amanda Acklin became the local Habitat for Humanity executive director in 2013. Here she stands in front of Habitat's new ReStore and office spaces.[/caption]
Since she was a young girl Amanda Acklin, ’09, always believed in being inclusive, fair and helping others. But the former philosophy major says discussing and studying Asian philosophy and phenomenology at UW-L was when it really clicked.
Her classes solidified ideas about how people are connected in the world.
Today Acklin is living that philosophy. She’s connecting citizens, local governments, hospitals and other organizations to empower La Crosse residents to clean up and revitalize old neighborhoods.
As executive director of Habitat for Humanity, Acklin launched the ReNEW La Crosse Neighborhoods program, which has united volunteers to do home rehabilitation and repairs to beautify neighborhoods. ReNEW kicks off every year in early May and runs through early June, focusing on the Powell-Poage-Hamilton and Washburn neighborhoods that have long burdened the city with an aging housing and low property values.
Since its first year in 2013, ReNEW has completed 116 projects on 73 properties, with more than 3,000 hours of work contributed by volunteers.
[caption id="attachment_4813" align="alignright" width="350"]
Amanda Acklin speaks to a reporter during a ReNEW La Crosse event.[/caption]
It’s grown from a one-day program to a community driven-program that spurs volunteer efforts year round with the help of multiple community partners including: Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, the City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, Couleecap, Wells Fargo and neighborhood associations.
“Amanda is empowering residents to take an active role in making their neighborhoods even better,” says Adam Hatfield, manager of media and communications for Gundersen Health System. “I think the future of neighborhoods in La Crosse is much brighter because of her.”
Getting local residents involved in ReNEW or similar programs brings an ownership to the revitalization, says Acklin. It comes at a time when Habitat International is also focusing on the need to rehab homes, as well as building new ones. What makes a quality home is in large part the community around it, explains Acklin.
“It’s not just about improving the appearance of the housing stock, but empowerment and community involvement in those communities,” she notes.
Charlie Handy, La Crosse County planner, has watched the program work as neighbors inspire neighbors to get involved and take pride in their homes and neighborhoods.
“It’s an energizing month to see everyone do so much together — seeing all the green T-shirts everywhere,” he says.
[caption id="attachment_4812" align="alignleft" width="760"]
Alumna Amanda Acklin became the local Habitat for Humanity executive director in 2013. She launched the ReNEW La Crosse program, which is uniting volunteers to revitalize La Crosse's old neighborhoods. When the ReNEW program is in progress, it’s easy to see. Everyone wears their green T-shirt. Here the group of volunteers is at the May 2 kickoff.[/caption]
In addition to working behind the scenes, Amanda Acklin also rolls up her sleeves to help build homes and revitalize neighborhoods. Here she helps work on the foundation of Habitat’s 40th home.[/caption]
She’s developed strong community partnerships and provided a long-term vision for the organization, restructuring and finding a new location for both the Habitat offices and the ReStore after the lease expired on the downtown building. Habitat will soon kick off a $1 million capital campaign to pay for its new building.
Acklin says her job is the perfect balance of behind-the-scenes work that makes programs happen and working alongside homeowners.
Habitat will begin working on its 41st home in June. Homes are increasingly more energy efficient, says Acklin. One partner family had paid more than $500 a month for winter heating in a drafty old house. They had tears when Acklin explained that their new home’s heating bill would be about $200 a year.
“They started getting emotional and that’s when you get emotional too because you realize the difference you’re making for people,” she says. “Seeing the expression on their faces knowing they were not going to be facing a huge energy bill next month was gratifying.”
Acklin had volunteered for Habitat and numerous other organizations before becoming director. In her new role, she sees the bigger picture. In particular, she sees all who make building a home possible from the fundraisers, to the construction managers, to the volunteers who pick up the hammers and start the job.
“You see that it couldn’t be done without the volunteers,” she says.
Although Acklin has been the chief organizing force behind ReNEW, she says the beauty of the program is that it doesn’t have any names attached to it. It’s not a city program or Habitat program. It’s a community program made possible by the people who get involved.
“People ask me ‘how do people know you’re involved?’” says Acklin. “I say, let go of the organization's mask and know you are making a difference. Habitat doesn’t have to get credit. Make sure you have a name, logo and brand that says community so that no matter what happens to any of the partners, it is something that can go on.”
Not getting caught up in personal gain sounds a lot like Asian philosophy. Acklin says she still reads the books.
A liberal studies education changed her and made her more well-rounded and directed her toward her passion, she says.
“I used my college experience to enrich myself,” she says. “It’s nice if you can get job out of it, but I was really there to experience it.”
Alumna Amanda Acklin became the local Habitat for Humanity executive director in 2013. Here she stands in front of Habitat's new ReStore and office spaces.[/caption]
Since she was a young girl Amanda Acklin, ’09, always believed in being inclusive, fair and helping others. But the former philosophy major says discussing and studying Asian philosophy and phenomenology at UW-L was when it really clicked.
Her classes solidified ideas about how people are connected in the world.
Today Acklin is living that philosophy. She’s connecting citizens, local governments, hospitals and other organizations to empower La Crosse residents to clean up and revitalize old neighborhoods.
As executive director of Habitat for Humanity, Acklin launched the ReNEW La Crosse Neighborhoods program, which has united volunteers to do home rehabilitation and repairs to beautify neighborhoods. ReNEW kicks off every year in early May and runs through early June, focusing on the Powell-Poage-Hamilton and Washburn neighborhoods that have long burdened the city with an aging housing and low property values.
Since its first year in 2013, ReNEW has completed 116 projects on 73 properties, with more than 3,000 hours of work contributed by volunteers.
[caption id="attachment_4813" align="alignright" width="350"] Amanda Acklin speaks to a reporter during a ReNEW La Crosse event.[/caption]
It’s grown from a one-day program to a community driven-program that spurs volunteer efforts year round with the help of multiple community partners including: Gundersen Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System, the City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, Couleecap, Wells Fargo and neighborhood associations.
“Amanda is empowering residents to take an active role in making their neighborhoods even better,” says Adam Hatfield, manager of media and communications for Gundersen Health System. “I think the future of neighborhoods in La Crosse is much brighter because of her.”
Getting local residents involved in ReNEW or similar programs brings an ownership to the revitalization, says Acklin. It comes at a time when Habitat International is also focusing on the need to rehab homes, as well as building new ones. What makes a quality home is in large part the community around it, explains Acklin.
“It’s not just about improving the appearance of the housing stock, but empowerment and community involvement in those communities,” she notes.
Charlie Handy, La Crosse County planner, has watched the program work as neighbors inspire neighbors to get involved and take pride in their homes and neighborhoods.
“It’s an energizing month to see everyone do so much together — seeing all the green T-shirts everywhere,” he says.
[caption id="attachment_4812" align="alignleft" width="760"] Alumna Amanda Acklin became the local Habitat for Humanity executive director in 2013. She launched the ReNEW La Crosse program, which is uniting volunteers to revitalize La Crosse's old neighborhoods. When the ReNEW program is in progress, it’s easy to see. Everyone wears their green T-shirt. Here the group of volunteers is at the May 2 kickoff.[/caption]
Acklin expands the footprint of Habitat
Tom Claflin, local Habitat for Humanity board president, says through ReNEW and other Habitat initiatives, Acklin has broadened the scope of Habitat for Humanity La Crosse. “She came armed with so many tools that fit the mission of Habitat,” he says. “She stepped into this position, took over and decided that Habitat was not doing enough.” Acklin has written numerous grants that have helped fund and grow Habitat programs. The organization has received more grants in the two years under her leadership than in all the years leading up to it since the organization became a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International in 1992, says Claflin. [caption id="attachment_4815" align="alignleft" width="350"] In addition to working behind the scenes, Amanda Acklin also rolls up her sleeves to help build homes and revitalize neighborhoods. Here she helps work on the foundation of Habitat’s 40th home.[/caption]
She’s developed strong community partnerships and provided a long-term vision for the organization, restructuring and finding a new location for both the Habitat offices and the ReStore after the lease expired on the downtown building. Habitat will soon kick off a $1 million capital campaign to pay for its new building.
Acklin says her job is the perfect balance of behind-the-scenes work that makes programs happen and working alongside homeowners.
Habitat will begin working on its 41st home in June. Homes are increasingly more energy efficient, says Acklin. One partner family had paid more than $500 a month for winter heating in a drafty old house. They had tears when Acklin explained that their new home’s heating bill would be about $200 a year.
“They started getting emotional and that’s when you get emotional too because you realize the difference you’re making for people,” she says. “Seeing the expression on their faces knowing they were not going to be facing a huge energy bill next month was gratifying.”
Acklin had volunteered for Habitat and numerous other organizations before becoming director. In her new role, she sees the bigger picture. In particular, she sees all who make building a home possible from the fundraisers, to the construction managers, to the volunteers who pick up the hammers and start the job.
“You see that it couldn’t be done without the volunteers,” she says.
Although Acklin has been the chief organizing force behind ReNEW, she says the beauty of the program is that it doesn’t have any names attached to it. It’s not a city program or Habitat program. It’s a community program made possible by the people who get involved.
“People ask me ‘how do people know you’re involved?’” says Acklin. “I say, let go of the organization's mask and know you are making a difference. Habitat doesn’t have to get credit. Make sure you have a name, logo and brand that says community so that no matter what happens to any of the partners, it is something that can go on.”
Not getting caught up in personal gain sounds a lot like Asian philosophy. Acklin says she still reads the books.
A liberal studies education changed her and made her more well-rounded and directed her toward her passion, she says.
“I used my college experience to enrich myself,” she says. “It’s nice if you can get job out of it, but I was really there to experience it.”