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Over the past year, Kathy Florin has given hundreds of hours of professional-level time to Winona's immigrant defense efforts, all as a volunteer. Here's a sampling of what she did:
- Past work: Co-founded the Winona Afghan Support Network (WASN) and spent time volunteering along the southern border.
- 2025 and 2026: Sought out, researched, and connected with statewide immigrant-led organizations of the Immigrant Defense Network to bring knowledge, guidance, resources, and training to Winona.
- Attended multiple statewide meetings on a monthly basis in order to stay updated and connect local efforts with regional and state-wide efforts.
- Implemented teachings and training from immigrant-led organizations to co-found the Winona Constitutional Observer Group from the ground up.
- Co-built a community response network that has grown in capacity and variety of support services offered.
- Organized, managed, and led Know Your Rights, Constitutional Observer, and Train-the-Trainer Trainings.
- Project and Operations Management: Developed operational and data management systems for organizational efficiency.
- Managed social media communication, various communication tools, and printing of needed materials.
- Continually networking with local and regional individuals and organizations to learn from, grow, and adapt the relationships of community support, mutual aid, and solidarity.
In all of this, Kathy drew on her professional, technical, and organizational skills that she regularly uses in her fulltime, paid freelance work. During January and February in particular, this important work took precedence over her usual paid freelance work.
This GoFundMe is the Winona Sheltering Network community's way of saying thank you—a one-time, retroactive gift to help offset the income Kathy set aside to serve her neighbors. Our fundraiser reflects only a fraction of the true value of what she contributed, but it is a meaningful gesture to recognize her dedication.
Kathy’s work has made a real difference in the lives of immigrants, helping people feel safer, more informed, and more connected to their community. By supporting this fundraiser, you can show your appreciation for Kathy’s commitment and help her continue her advocacy for immigrant rights in Winona and beyond.
If Kathy's work has inspired you, please consider making a thank-you gift to this fundraiser. It's a small gesture that will meaningfully help replace a portion of Kathy's lost income.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathy Florin
Beneficiary