The stated goal is to “reduce recidivism,” but in talking to Colin Walsh, manager of Project Proven, it’s about more than that. The Western Technical College program works to break the cycle of incarceration by providing a clear pathway back to normalcy. For those trying to reset, it’s as much about finding a social outlet and a community as it is about earning a degree.Walsh, who spent 11 years working inside the La Crosse County Jail before taking over the program, understands that stability requires a support system.

Project Proven works across La Crosse, Monroe, Trempealeau, and Jackson counties to help people navigate everything from GED prep to college enrollment. But it’s the community side where the program really stands out. Through initiatives like the Rec Club, which organizes sober community outings, and the Leadership Group, which focuses on community advocacy, the program helps people build a new social circle. By focusing on these connections, Project Proven has helped drop the local recidivism rate to around 37% — nearly half the national average.