VISION 2040

2025 International Heritage Festival
2025-04-25 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Willmar Senior High School, 2701 30th ST NE, Willmar, MN, 56201, United States
Experience the magic of cultural diversity at the 2025 International Heritage Festival! This annual event brings together the sights, sounds, and flavors of global traditions in a vibrant community gathering. Whether you’re eager to taste international cuisine, watch mesmerizing performances, or explore stunning cultural artifacts, this is an event you won’t want to miss.

Savor delicious food samples from around the world.
Immerse yourself in dynamic cultural “edu-tainment,” including music, dance, art, and live performances.
Discover unique artifacts and traditions from different cultures.

MVP Mindset Night at the Ballpark
2025-06-11 17:30 - 18:30 | MN
A Special Mental Health Awareness Event
About the Event
MVP Mindset Night is a fun, interactive evening designed to promote youth mental health through play, learning, and community connection. Sponsored by Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services, this event brings together local partners and volunteers for a one-of-a-kind pregame experience before the Willmar Stingers take the field.
Whether you’re a kid, teen, or adult, there’s something for everyone to explore-because we all deserve to feel like the MVP.

Interactive Bases: Learn While You Play
Step onto the field and take a lap around the MVP Mindset Diamond, where each base features hands-on learning activities centered around emotional wellness:
First Base: Ground Ball
Learn grounding skills through a simple game of toss. Volunteers will guide participants in naming things they see, feel, or hear-practicing mindfulness in motion.
Second Base: STOP Skill Drill
Theme: “Before you steal a base, check the coach’s signal!”Participants respond to “coach signals” with a freeze move, then walk through the STOP skill:

S – Stop

T – Take a step back

O – Observe

P – Proceed mindfully

Learn how to pause and assess emotions before taking action.
Third Base: Base Breathing
Discover box breathing techniques to calm the body and mind. Volunteers will demonstrate and share info cards on breathing as a tool for managing stress.
Home Plate: MVP Baseball Card Creation
Get creative with a personal affirmation project. Make your own MVP baseball card, complete with your name, self-affirming messages, and custom designs. Add a photo later if you’d like-this is your moment to shine.
Outfield Experience: Meet Local Mental Health Partners
Explore tables hosted by local mental health professionals and organizations. Learn more about community resources, ask questions, and take home helpful tools for ongoing support.
Game Night Details

Event Time: 5:30 to 6:30 PM (before the game)

Game: Willmar Stingers vs. TBD

Location: Bill Taunton Stadium, Willmar

Presented by: Kandiyohi County Health and Human Services, with support from MDH and DHS grants

Tickets: Visit willmarstingers.com for ticket info

Stick around after the MVP Mindset experience to cheer on the Stingers and enjoy a summer evening at the ballpark.

Why MVP Mindset?
Mental health matters. MVP Mindset Night helps create a safe, supportive space for young people and families to explore emotional well-being through interactive, age-appropriate activities. Our goal is to empower individuals with tools they can use every day-on and off the field.

Willmar Juneteenth Celebration
2025-06-19 17:00 - 21:00 | MN
Join Vision 2040 and our community partners as we celebrate freedom, history, and unity at the Willmar Fests Block Party
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth marks a powerful moment in American history. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom by Major General Gordon Granger. The following year, Texans began celebrating the anniversary, and over time, Juneteenth has become a national celebration of African American freedom, culture, and resilience.
Texas recognized Juneteenth as an official state holiday in 1980, and it became a federal holiday in 2021. Today, communities across the country gather on June 19 to honor the past and work toward a more equitable future.

Willmar’s Juneteenth Celebration
Location: Willmar Fests Block PartyDate: Thursday, June 19, 2025Time: Block Party begins at 5:00 PM
Vision 2040 is proud to be part of Willmar’s Juneteenth celebration. We invite the entire community to come downtown for an evening of fun, learning, and togetherness.
What to Expect
Free Swag and GiveawaysStop by the Vision 2040 table for fun items and information about community initiatives.
Live Music by Dred I Dread at 6:00 PMEnjoy reggae music from the well-known band Dred I Dread. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the show.
Family-Friendly ActivitiesThe Willmar Fests Block Party features food vendors, local entertainment, and something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Hosted By
This celebration is made possible by the collaboration of local organizations and community leaders, including:

Willmar Lakes Area Vision 2040
City of Willmar
Blue Cross Blue Shield Center for Racial and Health Equity
Jennie-O Turkey Store
PrimeWest Health
Willmar Area Community Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation
And other valued partners

Celebrate With Us
Juneteenth is a time to reflect, connect, and celebrate the progress we have made together. We hope to see you at the Willmar Fests Block Party on June 19.

2025 Welcoming Week
2025-09-13 14:00 - 18:00 | MN
Celebrate. Connect. Belong.
We’re inviting you to a celebration of community and connection.2025 Welcoming Week is all about coming together to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and where we are going. It’s a chance to meet your neighbors, share stories, and build a future where everyone belongs.
At Vision 2040, we believe in shaping what’s next by creating spaces that bring people together. This event is one of those spaces. A place where new ideas start, friendships are built, and cultures are celebrated.
Event Highlights
Experience Our Community’s Cultures
From music to performances, watch local talents share their traditions and stories on stage.
Taste the World
Sample free dishes from cultures represented in Willmar. Food trucks will also be onsite with treats to purchase.
Find Community Resources
Discover organizations, programs, and services that are here to help you thrive. Connect with groups working to make Willmar a place where everyone feels at home.

What is Welcoming Week?
Since 2012, communities across the country have been celebrating Welcoming Week to build bridges between long-time residents and newcomers. Willmar is proud to be part of this movement.
This isn’t just an event.It’s a chance to make connections.It’s a chance to create a community where everyone feels like they belong.When we’re all in, we’re all better.
Event Details
📅 Saturday, September 13, 2025🕑 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM📍 Corner of 6th St SW & Litchfield Ave SW, Downtown Willmar💲 Free and open to everyone
Thank You to All the 2025 Welcoming Week Sponsors
This event wouldn’t be possible without our community champions:
Welcomer Sponsors

Southwest Minnesota Arts Council
BlueCross BlueShield Minnesota
Southwest Initiative Foundation
City of Willmar

Belonging Sponsors

PrimeWest Health
Willmar Area Community Foundation
Woodland Center
CentraCare

Community Builder Sponsors

Willmar Lakes Area Vision 2040
Home State Bank
Jennie-O
Ridgewater College
Kandiyouhi County Drug Free Communities Coalition

Neighbor Sponsor

PACT for Families Collaborative
Willmar Area Arts Council

In-Kind Sponsors

West Central Tribune
Lakeland Broadcasting
West Central Sanitation

These partners believe in shaping what’s next. Together, we’re building a community that welcomes everyone.

The Collaborative Care Conference
2025-11-17 08:30 - 15:30 | MN
A Culture of Care: Building Stronger & Healthier Communities
Monday, November 17, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Willmar Education & Arts Center
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 8:30-3:30 PM | Willmar Conference Center

About the Event
Join us for The Collaborative Care Conference, a two-part series designed to strengthen the fabric of our communities through compassion, connection, and collective action. These events bring together educators, service providers, and community members to explore what it means to create trauma-sensitive, healing environments that uplift youth, families, and professionals alike.
At Vision 2040, we believe that when we work together, sharing knowledge, resources, and care, we build a community where everyone can thrive.
Session 1: Creating Trauma-Sensitive & Healing Environments
November 17 | 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | Willmar Education & Arts Center
Dr. Sander will lead an engaging and insightful session on how adversity impacts youth development and what communities can do to respond with empathy and intentionality. You’ll learn:

Frameworks for creating trauma-sensitive environments
Strategies to build resiliency in youth and families
Ways to foster relationships that encourage healing and growth
How to show up as your best self while supporting others

This session is ideal for anyone who works with or cares about youth, educators, parents, social workers, community leaders, and advocates for positive change.
Registration:
Free community event.
Session 2: Creating Trauma-Sensitive & Healing Environments in Schools
November 18 | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM | Willmar Conference Center
Dive deeper into creating trauma-sensitive environments within educational settings. Dr. Sander will guide attendees through practical strategies that support both youth and staff while shifting from punitive discipline toward compassionate accountability.
This full-day session includes opportunities for reflection, discussion, and skill-building around:

Understanding how adversity affects development
Building resiliency and connection in school environments
Supporting educators and staff through trauma-informed practices
Promoting emotional safety and engagement in the classroom

Registration:$50 for PACT Members | $75 for Non-Members
Why Attend
This event isn’t just about learning, it’s about collaboration. Attendees will leave with actionable tools, shared understanding, and renewed energy to help make our communities stronger, healthier, and more connected.
Together, we can create a culture of care that supports everyone’s well-being.
RSVP
Reserve your spot today and be part of the movement toward a more resilient and compassionate Willmar Lakes Area.RSVP Here
Hosted by:PACT for Families Collaborative
