Good Fight club has nuns in its corner

A La Crosse youth organization known for its boxing gym has an extra $100,000 to spend on youth programs, thanks to a grant from the Franciscan Sisters. 

Sister Laura Nettles of the FSPA says the Good Fight club on North 6th Street works in many ways to advance the lives of area young people. 

You may not think that nuns and boxing go together naturally, but Laura likes the club’s boxing program.

“This is how boxing should be,” she says. “It shouldn’t be taken to the streets, it shouldn’t be done in anger, right? This is a way to instill discipline in youth, and teach skills, ’cause boxing has many more skills than just the punching.”    

The Good Fight gets about 50 visits from young people through age 18 in a typical month during the school year…and fewer in the summer, when there are more activities available.     

Director Isaiah Thomas says it provides kids and teenagers with a “safe space” to go in the evening.  Thomas says the grant will help pay for staffers to keep young people busy.

“Kids have been at home. Kids have been behind computer screens,” Thomas says. “Some have just been reserved and not really socializing, but here’s that opportunity again where…our doors are wide open and we’re ready to see you.”

The grant of $99,560 comes from the FSPA proceeds of selling its interest in the Franciscan Health Care system a few years ago.