About
Susan (Sue) Rieple Graf, Executive Director
Every human being deserves acceptance, love, respect and dignity. I have personally experienced childhood trauma and poverty and many friends and family members cared for me. I believe the sum of my life experiences has prepared me for this mission.
I have lived in the Coulee Region for most of my life. I attended local schools and am a Viterbo University alumnus. My professional work experience includes banking, church office/ministry and special education. I have volunteered in my church and community in many roles. I am a Christian and try to live out my faith.
I began to volunteer with the homeless community 10 years ago and eventually made a career change to serve as Coordinator of the Franciscan Hospitality House, a daytime drop-in center for homeless and other marginalized individuals. The Center closed in March, 2020, just prior to Covid. Members of the homeless community were left outside and were hungry and needed help. I began to care for them daily, building positive relationships, providing supplies to meet immediate needs, serving with compassion and without judgement. WINN, inc. was formed to continue this mission into the future.
WINN, inc. gives hope to people who are struggling, helps them meet basic needs and connects them with housing, jobs and other needed resources. WINN, inc. depends on financial support to continue to provide for our unsheltered and marginalized neighbors.
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Brian Holliday, Operations Manager
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Brian is a WINN staff member as of August 1, 2024 although he has served with WINN almost daily from the beginning. He and Sue loaded up her car with needed items and began serving our unsheltered neighbors in March, 2020. Brian, a former guest of the Hospitality House, worked through the SER program for 5 years.
Brian grew up in Star Lake, New York in the Adirondack mountains but has called La Crosse home for 20+ years. Brian is a humble, kind, generous man who is always willing to help people. Brian is a hard worker and worked on many construction jobs throughout his career and he can fix almost anything. Brian knows many of the people we serve and is proud to be in recovery himself. He has lived experience with homelessness and is familiar with the struggles many of our guests face. Brian is a servant leader in our community and a voice for our unsheltered community. ​
WINN, Inc. Board of Directors
The board of directors for WINN is a group of individuals from varying walks of life. We have all had our boots on the ground serving the homeless community. We seek to positively impact our community and its most vulnerable members.
Ken Ford
I worked at a local pharmacy that served a diverse community in downtown LaCrosse for nearly 30 years. During this time I was able to get to know many of our marginalized and homeless neighbors. Their story is a shared human story of hope, hardship, loss and a desire for connection and belonging. I am involved with WINN to serve others whose life and story is my story too.
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Jenny Wolfe
In my retirement I have been fortunate enough to give back to the community I love. La Crosse is a special place with generous hearts and that love spreads to those less fortunate. I have volunteered at the warming center and at Wafer food distribution. My hope is that every person will know their value and feel that kindness through WINN Inc. I thank WINN for allowing me to use my knowledge to assist in the continuation of the service it provides.
Barb Grob
I grew up in northern Wisconsin. My grandmother inspired me, the first servant leader I knew. In 1996, my husband and I married and moved to La Crosse, where I returned to Viterbo University to embark on my faith and servant leadership journey. It was during this time that I crossed paths with Sue. My faith, family, and service to my neighbors sustaines me. As Matthew 25:40 reminds us, "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Tarl Kaio
In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, I volunteered in the south for almost a year, living in a tent, sleeping in my car or vacant buildings. This experience exposed me to the homeless lifestyle and I feel strongly connected on a personal level to those that live on the street. I have worked with youth ministry, inmates transitioning back into society and those with substance abuse addiction. Helping those who struggle is why I am involved in WINN. I am a small business owner in downtown La Crosse.
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Jim Page
10 years ago I retired from a career in law enforcement. Since that time my faith has grown a lot and my view on our unsheltered community has changed drastically. I volunteer as a police chaplain and am involved in La Crosse Co jail ministry. My deep hope is that, through WINN, ALL of God's children will understand their worth in our community. I thank WINN for giving me the opportunity to serve.
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Sister Laurie Sullivan
As a follower of St. Francis of Assisi and called by God, I am dedicated to serving the poor and marginalized. Over the past fourteen years, I have worked in food pantries, provided pastoral care in nursing homes and a hospital, supported homeless initiatives, and offered essential services to those in need. My approach to serving is rooted in seeing Christ in those I help, I value personal connections and building relationships, and I strive to be a compassionate and humble servant. I am excited to join WINN’s mission of lovingly caring for our unsheltered neighbors, as it aligns with my passion for serving my sisters and brothers in need.
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