Dear Community Members, Welcome to our March newsletter! We are excited to share our first newsletter with all of you. Our goal is to share updates on our accomplishments, sponsors, past events, and upcoming events. We aim to strengthen community awareness and the bonds we have already built through our monthly newsletter.
A Forever Giver
There are some people who spend their lives putting a little extra light into the world, and Lynn Wineland was undeniably one of them.
We at William’s House of Hope in Antigo are profoundly moved and endlessly grateful to learn that Lynn and her family chose to direct memorial donations to our mission in lieu of flowers. To be associated with a soul so deeply committed to service, community, and unconditional care is both a profound honor and a humbling gift.
Lynn’s entire life was a testament to what it means to show up for people when they need it most. Whether she was coordinating massive details as an event planner, or stepping onto the frontlines with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team, the Pickerel Fire and Rescue, and the Town of Langlade Fire Department, Lynn lived with an open, active heart. She didn’t just hope for a better world; she rolled up her sleeves and helped build one.
Even in her passing, that beautiful spirit of giving continues to ripple outward. The memorial gifts given in her name will directly allow us to continue providing comfort, shelter, and hope to those facing their hardest days. Through these donations, Lynn is still doing what she always did best, sheltering others from the storm and offering a helping hand.
To Don, Jennifer, Jillian, and Lynn’s Precious Grandchildren,
We extend our deepest, most tender condolences to you. We know that no words can fill the void left by a woman as vibrant, loving, and dedicated as Lynn. Please know that we hold her memory with the utmost reverence.
Every dollar directed to William’s House of Hope in her honor will be used with the same care, dedication, and love that Lynn poured into everything she touched. Her legacy of compassion is safely woven into the very fabric of our mission, and her light will continue to shine brightly through the lives changed here.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for allowing her beautiful legacy to live on through us.
With enduring gratitude and love,
"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Youth Event: Open to Public
Join us for Respawn Day on July 9th, 2026, from 1-5 PM! We're thrilled to bring back this beloved community event at William’s House of Hope, dedicated to giving back and fostering connections among local youth. This was made possible by a donation from the Antigo Optimist Club. We’re excited to welcome children from the Boys & Girls Club along with youth from the community for a day filled with fun activities and positive experiences. Thanks to Respawn Gaming Lounge, together we can create lasting memories and remind our young people that they are valued in our community.
Bridges of Hope SMART Recovery Relaunch and Mental Health Path to Resilience Program
William’s House of Hope is excited to announce the relaunch of our Bridges of Hope SMART Recovery Program, expanding the support we provide to individuals on their recovery journey. This program will be led by Dr. Shellie Locke, a licensed psychologist in both Wisconsin and Illinois who specializes in neuropsychology. In addition to facilitating the SMART Recovery program, Dr. Locke will offer one-on-one mental health sessions, providing participants with additional support as they work toward lasting recovery. Recovery is about more than overcoming addiction, it’s about understanding the experiences, challenges, and underlying causes that contribute to it. This program is designed to help individuals build healthier coping skills, strengthen emotional well- being, and create meaningful and lasting change. This is more than a service; it is an opportunity to address the deep-rooted causes that often stand in the way of recovery. By combining evidence-based recovery tools with personalized mental health support, William’s House of Hope continues its commitment to helping individuals build healthier, more hopeful futures. Please join us in giving Dr. Shellie Locke a warm welcome to the William's House of Hope family! We are excited for the positive impact she will have on our community and look forward to the lives that will be touched through the Bridges of Hope SMART Recovery Program.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Empowering Communities & Supporting Hope
Two Upcoming Fall Fundraisers Dedicated to Safety, Awareness, and Local Action
As autumn approaches, community solidarity becomes more vital than ever. The Williams House of Hope is proud to announce two major upcoming fundraising events this September. Designed to both raise crucial operational funds and uplift the local community, these initiatives address pressing social issues while fostering connection, entrepreneurship, and safety for all residents.
1. The 5th Annual "Everything Goes Sales" Event
Returning for its fifth consecutive year, the highly anticipated "Everything Goes Sales" event promises to be a massive celebration of local makers, curators, and community giving. Serving as a direct fundraiser for the Williams House of Hope, this bustling marketplace will bring together over 100 diverse vendors under one roof, offering everything from artisan crafts and homemade baked goods to unique treasures and household items.
The event is designed to be a vibrant family day out, featuring dynamic food trucks, refreshing drink selections, face painting, and a free kids' raffle to keep the youngest attendees entertained. Williams House of Hope will feature its own dedicated booth showcasing beautiful handmade crafts, delicious baked treats, and highly anticipated raffle baskets filled with premium items generously donated by local businesses.
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Date & Time: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
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Location: M.A.R.C. Center (Bierman Aquatic Center), 1100 Marc Dr., Merrill, WI 54452
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Vendor Inquiry Contact: Ranay Nicklaus (littlefarmgirlgifts1@gmail.com)
Calling All Vendors: Limited booth spaces are still available! If you are a crafter, direct seller, or small business owner looking to showcase your products to a massive local audience, please reach out to Ranay Nicklaus to secure your space. Your participation directly supports individuals navigating housing insecurity and crisis.
2. Empowering the Community: Introductory Self-Defense Workshop
In an impactful new partnership, Williams House of Hope has teamed up with Unified Martial Arts & Fitness to present a specialized Self-Defense Fundraiser. This critical workshop is designed to equip community members with foundational personal safety skills while addressing a sobering, often overlooked reality.
Statistical data reveals that roughly 80% of individuals experiencing homelessness will face domestic violence or sexual assault during their lifetime. By hosting this workshop, we aim to smash the stigma, invite proactive dialogue, and deliver practical physical and mental skill sets directly to our community members.
Organizers are placing a strong emphasis on youth and teenager participation. Recent data indicates a sharp rise in teen dating violence, heavily exacerbated by the constant accessibility of social media. This digital connectedness unfortunately increases vulnerability, leaving young people more susceptible to unwanted online advances, grooming, and manipulation. Building acute situational awareness and establishing personal boundaries at an early age is absolutely crucial to keeping our youth safe.
This is strictly an introductory, educational workshop. Participants will not simply show up to punch or kick; instead, the curriculum focuses heavily on tactical awareness, verbal de-escalation, proper boundary setting, and fundamental physical responses. Every participant will receive a special thank-you gift, alongside complimentary water and snacks to keep energy high.
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Date & Time: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
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Location: Unified Martial Arts & Fitness, 834 5th Ave.
How to Support: Whether you join us as a vendor in Merrill, attend our self-defense clinic, or buy a raffle ticket, your presence fuels the mission of the Williams House of Hope. Mark your calendars and stand with us this September!
Special donation request
Mobile Outreach: The Need for a Van
The need for a dedicated organization van has become an absolute must as our mission continues to grow. We currently provide assistance to multiple populations within Antigo, and the most common request we receive—day in and day out—is for transportation. Whether it is getting a client to a job interview, a medical appointment, or a housing viewing, a reliable vehicle is the missing link in our service chain. Currently, the lack of transport creates a significant barrier to success for those we serve. Acquiring a van will allow us to meet our clients where they are and ensure thatno one misses a life-changing opportunity simply because they couldn't find a ride.
Hours of operation and contact information for all 3 pillars of services we offer
Williams House (715-527-0866) http://www.williams-house.org Program/Service Days Hours Monday – Thursday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
This allows for time before and after for data tracking, meetings and client transports.
Thrift for Hope Wednesday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Bridges of Hope (Smart Recovery) Program is being relaunched and will be up in running begigning of August.
Warming Center Extreme Weather: Open when below zero or extreme heat. Will post on social media or those in need can call main line.
Updating with New Location Note: We are currently working on adding additional hours for the Bridges of Hope program to better serve our participants
PLEASE NOTE: ALL HOURS FOR WILLIAMS HOUSE OF HOPE CHANGE TO THESE SPECIFIC TIMES STARTING 07.14.2026