June Newsletter: Midyear Check-in
Mid-year checkin
Somehow 2025 is halfway over! It sure seems like time speeds up every year, which maybe has something to do with getting older or having a toddler... or an organization... Anyway, at Engage Winona we're thrilled to report what we've accomplished in the first 6 months of the year. All of our work, from free public events to consulting with local institutions, is aimed at cultivating stronger communities by reigniting community participation.
We support everyday people to take part in shaping their communities, and we help local governments and organizations engage with residents. As people get involved and connected, communities become more able to collaborate, solve problems, and support themselves from the inside out. Forecast Public Art just published an online magazine calling this civic health, (highly recommended deep-dive for the nerds out there) and it's what we're all about at Engage Winona.
Here's what that looked like from January-June 2025:
20 early stage community leaders and entrepreneurs served through 35 hours of personalized technical assistance
Hosted 11 capacity building workshops in partnership with local experts and organizations
Completion of a 9-month Lived Experience Leaders cohort, with 10 new program graduates
Hosted 21 public events serving 527+ community members
Facilitated 29 workgroup and cohort meetings
Our space was used for 2 gallery shows and 44 hours of community rental, much of it in-kind
54 volunteer hours logged
This June, we reached out to ask you for support as we face philanthropic funding gaps, coupled with ever-increasing demand for our services. Thanks to you, we hit our $5,000 June fundraising goal with a grand total of $5,460! We’re deeply grateful for every donation, share, and show of support!
July and August are busy months at Engage Winona. Read on for more ways to connect, learn, and make a difference in your community. See you out there!
- Marcia Ratliff, Executive Director
Book Club on July 2: The Art of Gathering
Join us Wednesday, July 2, from 4:30 to 5:30 PM at the Winona Public Library for our next book club! We’ve been having a blast digging in and connecting around what it means to be a community builder, and we’re excited to keep the conversation going with our next read: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.
This book asks us to go a little deeper and rethink what we thought we knew about how and why we come together. It’s all about using our gatherings, big or small, to create meaning and strengthen our communities. Interested? Come join the discussion, no need to have read the book!
On Tuesday, August 6, we’ll be reading Strong Towns by Charles Marohn, which looks at practical, community-driven ways to build more resilient, sustainable places to live.
Learn more and sign up for book club here, or just join us!
Tuesday, July 8: Winona Together
Join us Tuesday, July 8, from 5 to 7 PM at Peter’s Biergarten for our next Winona Together conversation! We’re gathering to explore what it means to belong and participate in community life. Together, we’ll reflect on how we define community and how each of us can contribute in our own way—whether we’re long-time locals or just starting to get involved.
This event series is made possible by our wonderful event sponsors! A warm thanks to Fastenal, Coca-Cola of Winona, Peter's Biergarten,United Way of Southeast MN, and Winona Community Foundation for their support of the Winona Together event series!
Renters Rights Workshop July 9th
Renting in Winona? Join us for a free Renters Know Your Rights Workshop on Wednesday, July 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Sobieski Park Lodge.
Hosted by Engage Winona, Habitat for Humanity Serving Winona County, and Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS), this workshop will walk through key info every renter should know—like how rent increases work, what to do about repairs, your rights around eviction, and more. The event will include free dinner and kids' activities. We hope to see you there!
Coming in August: Community Block Parties
Engage Winona is throwing two neighborhood block parties, and you’re invited! These events are designed to help connect community members with local nonprofits and other resources.
Maplewood Townhomes
Tuesday, August 5 | 4–6 PM
East End Rec Center (co-hosted with City of Winona Parks & Rec)
Friday, August 29 | 3–7 PM
Both events are free and full of fun for all ages, with games, food, music, bubbles, and more! It’s a chance to meet your neighbors, enjoy some summer sunshine, and learn about local organizations offering resources, support, and ways to get involved in our community. Big thanks to the Winona Eagles, Winona Health, and the City of Winona for making our summer block parties possible through their generous partnership!
Scoops and support!
Save the date and join us at our Ice Cream Fundraiser at Nate & Ally’s on Thursday, August 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Drop in anytime to connect with our team, donate to our mission, and buy ice cream - Nate & Ally's will contribute 10% of proceeds as well.
Help Make a Wish Come True in Winona
Make-A-Wish Minnesota is looking for 2–3 volunteers in the Winona area to help grant a wish for a local child with a critical illness.
Volunteers will meet with the child and their family to explore wish ideas, then stay in touch with them monthly, sending cards, messages, or small surprises to keep spirits high while the wish is being arranged. Their volunteer team is at capacity, and this Winona child has been waiting over a month. Onboarding will be fast-tracked for anyone who signs up from the area! Learn more and apply here.