The Women Inspiring and Networking (WIN) organization has named Vicki Henle, a semi-retired teacher/coordinator with Willmar Public Schools in special education and early childhood, as their 2024 Woman of the Year. Henle was honored with the award, flowers, and a donation to the charity of her choice at WIN’s monthly meeting on November 19, 2024, at 5:30 PM at the Willmar Conference Center.
Known for her gift of connecting people and filling gaps in community services, Vicki has made a profound impact through her dedication to local causes. Her work has benefited organizations such as:
· WIN, where she serves as a youth mentor and Girlfriends Night Out silent auction committee
· Willmar Area Women’s Fund, supporting trauma response efforts and strengthening organizations where trauma care is essential
· Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota, including the Souper Bowl and Raise the Roof committees
· The Link, helping people in northern Kandiyohi County access community resources through relationships and advocacy
· Hope for the City, providing supplemental groceries at weekly distributions to people from all walks of life
· Family Promise of Kandiyohi County, providing transitional housing for the homeless
· Advocacy and Inclusion Matter (AIM), offering opportunities and resources to support inclusion and independence for people with disabilities
· Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, where she assists with Tuesday’s Table (a weekly community meal and fellowship) and serves on the Eucharistic Team
In 2024, Henle, alongside Jodi Wambeke from Jefferson Learning Center and several local businesses, received the Innovative Programming Award from the Minnesota Association for Family and Early Education (MNAFEE) for the Support on Site (SOS) program. This initiative, developed in collaboration with Willmar Early Childhood programs and local businesses, supports working parents, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, by offering parent education directly in workplaces.
Henle also played a crucial role in establishing and coordinating opportunities at Focus House, a WPS transition and work experience program designed to help students gain the skills necessary for transitioning into independent living. Through hands-on experiences, students develop essential life, pre-vocational, and community skills and are connected to local resources including health and fitness organizations.
Vicki and her husband, Dave, reside in Spicer. They are proud parents of four grown children and grandparents to three.
