History

Coulee Council on Addictions was founded in 1968 by a grassroots group concerned about substance use and individuals with the chronic brain disease of addiction in the greater La Crosse Area. 

Mission: Coulee Council on Addictions provides confidential help to individuals and families impacted by addiction and leads the community in prevention, education and awareness.

Vision: To help every individual and family recover.

Core Values

Help

Provide recovery support for individuals and families affected by substance abuse or other addictions.

Courage

Work effortlessly to change the stigma of addiction and be a champion for all those affected by it.

Knowledge

Be a leader in substance abuse prevention, recovery services and community awareness.

Meet the Team

Office Staff

A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a red top and black blazer, smiling in front of a stone wall background.

Rita Von Haden

Executive Director

Young woman with long light brown hair and bangs, smiling, wearing a dark floral top, standing in front of a stone wall.

Katie Golen

Prevention Educator

A woman with long red hair smiling, wearing a light gray jacket and a silver cross necklace.

Amy Weber

Office Manager

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Krystle Peters

Community Resource Navigator

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Arianna Cirincione

AODA Counselor / Veteran and First Responder Program Coordinator

A man with glasses and a full beard, wearing a dark blue, dotted button-up shirt, standing in front of a wall with brick and wood paneling.

Kevin Wenzel

Kitchen Manager

Recovery Support Staff

A smiling man wearing a white shirt with a red stripe, standing outdoors in front of a stone wall.

Terry

Close-up of a smiling man with a beard, wearing a black cap and a cream hoodie, indoors.

Joshua

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Krissy

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Roger

Board of Directors

President: Andrew Ives , University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Vice-President: Bart VanVoorhis, Retired/Self-Employed

Treasurer: Dan Dziedzic, May Clinic Health System-Rochester

Secretary: Sonja Davis, John’s Flaherty & Collins, S.C.

Additional Board Members: Janet Stansfield, Harold Deak Swanson, Ty Tlustosch, Charles Schauberger, Mary Jo Snow

  • "Coulee Recovery Center gave me clarity, purpose, and security when I was afraid of failing and relapsing. They provided the tools and resources I needed to succeed in my recovery journey."

    Chia V

  • "Seeing others recover gave me hope that I could too. The drop-in center provided a safe, supportive environment where I finally felt like I belonged."

    Terry P.

  • "Coulee offered me calm and reprieve from my inner storm when I was facing jail time and knew I needed to change. They made the other 23 hours of the day possible to stay clean and sober, giving my children a responsible mother."

    In Recovery, Mother, and College Graduate

  • "The people at Coulee changed my life through their warmth and strength. Their stories humbled me and gave me clarity about my own problems and how I cope."

    UW-La Crosse Intern

  • "Coulee offers a safe place with activities, meetings, and opportunities to build healthy friendships and practice people skills. Without Coulee, I would not be clean today."

    Mom, Volunteer, In-Recovery

  • "Coulee provides an irreplaceable social environment with people who contribute positively to my recovery. They helped me know I'm not alone and got my life back on track."

    Friend, Student, In-Recovery

  • "The CRAFT intervention course provided invaluable information, support, and encouragement. My loved one's recovery continues to progress well, and I'm forever grateful."

    A Husband, Father, Colleague

  • "Thank you for fixing my mom (who has survived generational addiction, loss, and family crisis)."

    Both Mother & Daughter

  • "Coulee gave me a place for service work and connection when recovery wasn't easy. Over time, they taught me how to deal with life and inspired me to help others struggling with addiction."

    Father, Colleague, 20 Years In-Recovery