In the small town of La Crosse, Indiana, the old high school building on North Michigan Street has stood as a quiet sentinel since 1915. For generations, it echoed with the laughter of students racing down hallways, the squeak of sneakers in the 1950s gymnasium, and the proud cheers of small-town victories. It was more than classrooms and chalkboards—it was the heartbeat of our community, where kids grew up, friendships formed, and dreams took root.

When the school closed in 2022, a piece of La Crosse felt like it closed too. The building sat empty, a beloved landmark facing an uncertain future, while our tight-knit town of just over 500 souls wondered how to keep that spirit alive without the daily bustle of young voices.

But a group of determined neighbors refused to let the story end there.

We formed Community Schoolhouse Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to breathing new life into the former La Crosse High School. Our vision is simple yet powerful: transform this historic building into a vibrant community center for everyone—children, families, seniors, and neighbors of all ages. A place for after-school programs, community gatherings, classes, events, fitness, arts, and support services. A place where the echoes of the past meet the hopes of the future, keeping the building at the center of our town once again.

We're in the early stages now, focusing on the essentials for the first year: basic building repairs, utilities, safety updates, accessibility improvements, and the initial setup to open our doors safely and sustainably. These foundational needs will allow us to welcome people back inside and begin hosting events while we pursue larger grants and partnerships.

To make our dream even more achievable, we're working toward matching grant opportunities—every dollar you donate can go twice as far when we secure those matches!

This isn't just about saving a building; it's about saving a community's gathering place. It's about giving our kids a safe space to learn and play after school, offering seniors a warm spot to connect, and creating opportunities for lifelong learning and joy right here at home.

We've already seen the excitement in people's eyes when they talk about what this center could mean—, art workshops in former classrooms, youth mentorship, family game nights, bringing health services to our area and so much more.

Your support will help turn possibility into reality.

Please consider donating to our GoFundMe today. Whether it's $10, $50, or more, every contribution brings us closer to reopening those doors. If you can't donate, sharing our story with friends and family would mean the world.

Together, we can make sure the old La Crosse High School doesn't fade into memory. Instead, it can become the Community Schoolhouse—a living legacy for generations to come.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let's bring this building—and our community—back to life.