Couleecap, Inc. is pleased to announce that John Young, Soldiers Grove, Couleecap Board Chairperson has received the Jefferson Award. The Jefferson Awards program, sponsored by WXOW News 19, Trust Point, Altra Federal Credit Union and the Jefferson Awards for Public Service honors ordinary people who do extraordinary things for others, their communities and their nation.
“We are delighted that John has received this award. He is a Korean War veteran, a local business man (owner of John’s TV) and a concerned community member,” said Grace Jones, Couleecap Executive Director. “His leadership has impacted the low-income people of the Coulee Region for over 40 years.”
Young joined the Couleecap Board of Directors in 1970, and was elected Board Chairperson in 1974. During his tenure, Young led the agency through dramatic growth and change. When Young became Board Chairperson, Couleecap was an agency with four employees and a $100,000 budget. Under his leadership, Couleecap has flourished. Today, Couleecap has a staff of 72 and an annual budget of $9 million.
“The agency owes much of its current success to John’s excellent leadership over the years,” said Jones.
In addition to his work with Couleecap, Young has an impressive history of improving the overall quality of life for low-income residents in his community of Soldiers Grove and surrounding areas. He has helped create and organize new opportunities such as the North Crawford Rescue Squad, a community health clinic, the County Housing Authority, and served on the Crawford County Board of Supervisors.
At a time when he could retire from work and community service, Young continues to be a man who stays involved in his community. In 2010, Couleecap celebrated Young’s 40 years of service on the board of directors. He was recognized by public officials at every level of government for this impressive milestone and continued dedication to his community. In his honor, Couleecap established the John Young Scholarship fund, which provides scholarships to four high school seniors in Crawford, La Crosse, Monroe, and Vernon counties each year.
“John Young is an extraordinary community volunteer who has made a profound difference in the lives of thousands of people. He truly embodies the Jefferson Award for Public Service and all it stands for and we congratulate him,” Jones said.
Couleecap, Inc. is a non-profit agency that helps low- and moderate-income families achieve self-sufficiency through a variety of programs. For more information on Couleecap and our programs and services visit our website www.couleecap.org. Donations to the John Young scholarship fund can be sent to Couleecap, Inc., 201 Melby Street, Westby, WI 54667, attention: scholarship fund.
