Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, May 16, 2008

Crossfire youth center unveils newly renovated building

(L-R) Adam Zastrow, Tylor Fischer, and Travis Fischer play as people tour the the newly remodeled Crossfire building. Erik Daily

By RYAN STOTTS / La Crosse Tribune

Crossfire, a local faith-based organization that offers programs for at-risk youths, has completed a renovation beyond its supporters’ wildest dreams.

Thursday night they hosted a party — “Raising The Last Brick” — to thank donors for the project known as “Operation Restoration,” which began in November 2006.

“There is no place in this city that I’m aware of that sees as many of this city’s high school age kids in a positive way,” said director Joe Rigelsky.

The group raised almost $800,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the renovation of the first and second floors of the former Woolworth’s department store at at 422 Main St., the organization’s home since 1992. It needs $75,000 to finish paying for the project.

The downstairs now features a fully equipped stage for live music, movies and power point presentations; a full kitchen; a “virgin” — or alcohol-free — bar; a game area with video games and pool tables; and a reception room.

The upstairs, where Rigelsky lives with his family, also offers space for up to three pregnant or displaced teens.

Crossfire offers mentoring, movie nights, concerts and football games aimed at keeping at-risk kids off the streets and on the right path, he said.

Derek Dyche, 21, was at the renovation ceremony, and he said Crossfire has worked for him.

“They’ve helped me out,” Dyche said. “They’ve listened and talked to me.”

Looking around the new facility, Dyche said he thought the renovation was awesome.

“I saw it when I first came down here. It was trashed. Now it’s great. I like it,” he said.

Dan Steiger, owner of Steiger Steel in La Crosse, donated time and materials, and helped get other local businesses involved.

“When we found out what was needed, we just asked,” Steiger said, “and not one person said no.”

That’s miraculous, said Crossfire executive director David Twite, who was a founding member of the program in 1988.

“Maybe you’re onto something when everything comes together and total strangers come out of nowhere with what you need,” Twite said.

Ryan Stotts can be reached at (608) 791-8446 or ryan.stotts@lee.net.