Winona Sheltering Network

09/06/2025

Read below from our friend Najib about donating to help support the people in Afghanistan after the earthquake.
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Dear Friends,

I’m reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your help.

On August 31, 2025, a catastrophic 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing at least 4,760 people and injuring over 12,000. As of today, September 3, thousands remain missing, and the numbers are still rising.

In the face of this overwhelming tragedy, Focus Development Organization—the only American nonprofit physically on the ground in Afghanistan—is providing life-saving aid: shelter, medical care, food, and comfort to those who have lost everything.

Your donation, no matter the size, can truly make a difference.
It can bring hope where there's despair. Warmth where there's cold. And life where there's darkness.

🙏 Donate Here (Bottom of the page)

If you choose to contribute, you’ll also receive a Thank You Note from the organization for your tax return documentation, if needed.

Please share this with family, friends, colleagues and any contacts you have!

Please join me in standing with the people of Afghanistan. Every dollar counts. Every share helps.

With gratitude,
Your friend,

Najib

[email protected]

https://www.focusdevelopment.org/contact

FOCUS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION, INC. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides immigration legal services, women empowerment and advocacy, education, capacity building, equality, social justice and awareness, immigrant entrepreneur empowerment, literacy, writing, and media. In addition to....

08/01/2025

Community, come through for your neighbors!

Join us and other local IDN partners for Defender Action Day on August 5 & 7 to learn about our defend + drive approach and how to observe, protect, and uphold the rights of immigrant communities.

Be part of a coordinated effort to safeguard due process and dignity for all.

PM for Winona details! immigrantdefensenetwork.org

05/21/2025

Meet Annychka Pasichnyk, a bright, resilient young woman from Lviv, Ukraine. For the past two years, she’s been studying at Xavier High School in Appleton, WI, through the Global Outreach exchange program. Now, Annychka dreams of continuing her education at Winona State University this fall. With her father stationed in a war zone in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Annychka is determined to build a peaceful future through education. But as an international student, she’s ineligible for federal financial aid and must raise $11,000 by July 1 to qualify for her student visa.

💜 A local Winona couple has already stepped up to host her, covering her housing and meals. Now we’re inviting you—our Winona community and beyond—to help with the rest.

➡️ Every donation helps. All gifts are tax-deductible through the Winona Sheltering Network (a 501c3 nonprofit).
You’ll receive a receipt by email for your records.

✏️ Annychka has already been accepted to WSU and plans to work to pay for future years' tuition.

📚 Let’s show Annychka what community looks like. Help send her to WSU!

👉 Donate now: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/fundraising/send-annychka-to-wsu-2
📖 Learn more: https://winonashelter.org/ann/

07/18/2024

07/11/2024

Thank you for the story News 8 Now / News 8000!

Go to winonashelter.org/donate to make a donation. Proceeds go directly to the families to offset reunification costs.

Thank you for your continued support! 🥰

WINONA, Minn (WKBT) -- Hussain Ali Frough remembers fleeing Afghanistan like it was yesterday.

06/27/2024

Thanks to the Winona Post for featuring the stories of these resilient and amazing community members!

Click here (https://winonashelter.org/family/) to make a donation!

by ALEXANDRA RETTER

06/21/2024

Hi friends! We have amazing news!

After almost three long years, Hussain and his family from Afghanistan have been reunited!

Stay tuned to hear more of their story and ways you can offer support.

In the meantime, below are some heartfelt observations from Gay Mortensen, a WASN member, of the family's reunion at the airport last night.
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It was very celebratory in the terminal. Caseworkers and the Director of Refugee Resettlement from Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota were there to greet folks being reunited with their families.

There was a family of ten from Somalia. An Ethiopian man welcoming his sister. One fellow has been working to bring his family of eight here since 2013, and he was finally able to have one arrive tonight.

Passengers from the flight came in through the arrival doors and everyone was excited to welcome their family members....there was a long lapse.

Then, at last, here they came with Hussain's son, who is 5 1/2 years old, leading the way.

He jumped at Hussain and they fell to the floor, hugging and laughing and kissing. Then there was a group hug and kisses and giggling.

On the way home to Winona what would a 5 1/2 year-old say in the car no matter the language or homeland.....? “When are we gonna get there?”

05/21/2024

Thanks so much to Sharon Mansur for the recent kite making workshop at the Winona Arts Center. The Motion State project is made possible by a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and The Cedar Tree Project.

05/18/2024

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04/15/2024

A big thank you to the Bluff Country Co-op! Thanks for all you do and what an amazing group of organizations!

We are happy to introduce the new Beans For Bags organizations!

Let's Erase The Stigma
Our Voices
Healthy Lake Winona
Winona Sheltering Network

Bring a reusable bag for your groceries and earn a bean. Drop that bean in the jar of your choice. At the end of the quarter we will donate to each organization 5 cents per bean. It can really add up!

Do you know a non-profit or fundraiser that would be good for our Beans For Bags program? Let us know! We welcome your suggestions for next quarter.

04/13/2024

Hi friends! We have wonderful news. Edelber's wife and two kids have safely made it to Winona! The family still needs your support, however, for expenses incurred during their journey, including legal and medical.

Click on the link below to find out more information and to make a donation. Thank you!

https://www.gofundme.com/f/HelpEdelberandfamily?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

04/09/2024