In this episode, Thomas and Kristen speak with Cindy Stockdale and Bob Dockins from Veteran's Rock, a small, passionate non-profit that provides a broad array of essential services for Veterans and their families in Cheyenne, WY. Providing winter clothing, furniture, conversation, showers, coffee and a cookie, Veteran's Rock is where those who served can find what they need "all in one place". Cindy and Bob tell us about their journey setting up the organization, the struggles they and those they serve face, and express gratitude at the giving spirit of Cheyenne.
Follow the links below to learn more about Veteran's Rock, and contact them to find out how you can support their mission!
Phone Number: 307-514-0035
Location: 605 S. Greeley Highway, Suite 1, Cheyenne, WY 82007
Email: veteransrockchey@gmail.com
After a brief hiatus, Thomas and Kristen talk to Katie Guerin from the City Kids Wilderness Project. City Kids is a non-profit organization founded on the belief the enriching life experiences for DC youth can enhance their lives, the lives of their families, and the greater community. Katie tells us about the core framework of experiential learning, year-round academic opportunities, City Kid's commitment to diversity and inclusion, and most of all: their summer trips to Jackson, where the kids are fully immersed in a hands-on outdoor education.
Follow the links below to learn more about City Kids, Support their mission, and keep up with their latest adeventures!
City Kids Website: https://citykidsdc.org/
Support - https://citykidsdc.org/donate/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citykidswildernessproject/
Make the Magic Happen!
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
On Kristen and Thomas' first podcast without Hugh or Dan, we interview Raymond Macchia, the Executive Director of Legal Aid Wyoming (LAW),a federally funded, non-profit law firm providing legal assistance to low-income individuals living in Wyoming. He talks to us about the recent creation of LAW, the deep need for more legal aid that Wyoming faces, and what has been, and needs to be, done to help fix our legal system.
Reach the Legal Aid Hotline at: 1-877-432-9955
Find more info about them online at: https://www.lawyoming.org
And follow LAW at: https://www.facebook.com/lawyoming
Make the magic happen!
After a week's hiatus, we're back with another great interview! On Thomas' first episode as a cohost, we sit down and chat with our good friend Amy Spieker, Director of Community Health and Analysis at the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and Executive Director of the Laramie County Community Partnership (LCCP). Amy talks to us about turning data into action. She discusses the Laramie County Health Needs Assessment and talks about some of the exciting public health initiatives happening in Cheyenne such as the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program with the Cheyenne Police Department.
Learn more about the LCCP: http://www.laramiecountyhealthmatters.org/
Learn more about Community Health at CRMC: https://www.cheyenneregional.org/location/wyoming-institute-of-population-health/
Follow the LCCP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lccpartnership
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
On Kristen's inaugural podcast as a cohost, we sit down with Charles Bloom and Mark Christensen. Charles is the head of Planning and Development with the City of Cheyenne, and Mark works alongside him as Planner II. We talk with Charles and Mark about Cheyenne's recent growth as a city and how they are facilitating affordable development through intentional planning. They also walk us through the exciting West Edge Redevelopment, which is revitalizing the west side of Cheyenne. Lastly, we look towards the future and discuss the Connect 2045 Transportation Update as well as the F.E. Warren missile upgrades coming later this decade.
Learn more about the City of Cheyenne's Planning and Development Department on their website: https://www.cheyennecity.org/Your-Government/Departments/Planning-and-Development-Department
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
We have a very special episode today. Hugh and Dan introduce and interview the new hosts of the WY We Serve podcast, Kristen and Thomas, who will be taking over the show at the end of the summer. Kristen is serving this year as the VISTA with the Aging Division at the Wyoming Department of Health, and Thomas is taking over Ken's role as the VISTA with Equal Justice Wyoming. They tell us a bit about their backgrounds, what drew them to Wyoming and, most importantly, why they serve.
Check out the AmeriCorps VISTA Program at Equal Justice Wyoming: https://equaljustice.wy.gov/index.php/about-us/americorps-vista-program
Visit EJW's website: https://equaljustice.wy.gov
And the EJW Foundation's website: https://www.equaljusticewyomingfoundation.org
Learn more about the Wyoming Department of Health's Aging Division: https://health.wyo.gov/aging/
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
Happy Frontier Days! This week we interview Rebecca Minyard, Program Director of Kinship Support Services and Self-Sufficiency with Community Action of Laramie County (CALC). Rebecca walks us through Community Action's origins as well as her work with Project Hope and Kinship Support Services at CALC. She also explains the various housing, case management, healthcare and rental assistance programs CALC administers to help people get back on their feet.
Learn more on CALC's website: http://www.calc.net/
Follow CALC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityActionofLaramieCounty
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
This week we are joined by Shirley Ann Higuchi, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation and author of Setsuko's Secret: Heart Mountain and the Legacy of the Japanese American Incarceration. Heart Mountain is the site of one of ten concentration camps across the United States that held over 120,000 American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II. Shirley takes us through the history of the forced removal of Japanese Americans in WWII as well as her own family's story of incarceration at Heart Mountain. She also tells us about the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation's educational efforts and their work to make sure that history is brought to light.
Learn more at the Heart Mountain website: https://www.heartmountain.org/
Donate to the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation for WyoGives: https://www.wyogives.org/organizations/heart-mountain-wyoming-foundation
Follow the Heart Mountain Foundation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeartMountainWY?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Follow the Heart Mountain Interpretive Center on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartmountainwy/
Be sure to tune in for the Virtual Heart Mountain Pilgrimage July 23rd - July 24th: https://www.heartmountain.org/visit/events/pilgrimage/
And check out Setsuko's Secret on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Setsukos-Secret-Mountain-Japanese-Incarceration/dp/0299327809
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
This week we are joined by Sarah Urbanek, the Executive Director of CASA of Laramie County. CASA, or Court Appointed Advocates for Children, are community volunteers who help represent an abused or neglected child's welfare in court. Sarah first started as an advocate in 2013 and currently serves as Executive Director of CASA of Laramie County. Today, she walks us through her history with the organization as well as her reflections on advocacy.
Learn more on CASA's website: https://www.casalc.org/
Follow CASA on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/casaoflaramiecounty/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/casa.laramiecounty/
Give to CASA of Laramie County on WyoGives (July 14, 2021)
https://www.wyogives.org/organizations/casa-of-laramie-county
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
How does one create and coordinate a statewide fundraising event, raising over half-a-million dollars for 130 nonprofits in the midst of a global pandemic? To find out we talk with Jody Shields, Executive Director of the Wyoming Nonprofit Network and VP of the Align Team. Jody is the driving force behind WyoGives, the largest single day of giving in the state of Wyoming. This year, WyoGives is on Wednesday, July 14. Be sure to check out their website and support your favorite Wyoming nonprofit!
Keep up with WyoGives on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WyoGives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wyogives/
And, of course, a shameless plug:
Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation WyoGives page: https://www.wyogives.org/organizations/equal-justice-wyoming-foundation
Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County WyoGives page: https://www.wyogives.org/organizations/habitat-for-humanity-of-laramie-county
Lastly, this is our final episode with our amazing co-host and close friend, Ken Wallace. Ken, thank you so much for your tireless work and sharp wit on this podcast. It's been quite the journey, and you will be dearly missed.
All our best,
Hugh and Dan
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
This week we host our first panel discussion featuring three incredible leaders working to solve food insecurity in Wyoming. On panel includes:
Our panelists walk us through the state of food insecurity in Wyoming, how their organizations help to combat hunger and how they deal with the logistical challenges of food distribution.
Learn more on their websites:
Needs Inc.: http://www.needsinc.org/
Wyoming Hunger Initiative: https://www.nohungerwyo.org/
Friday Food Bag Foundation: http://cheyenneffbag.org/
Follow them on Facebook:
Needs Inc.: https://www.facebook.com/NeedsIncCheyenne
Wyoming Hunger Initiative/First Lady Jennie Gordon: https://www.facebook.com/firstladywyoming
Friday Food Bag Foundation: https://www.facebook.com/FridayFoodBagFoundation
And be sure to sign up for Needs Inc.'s Firecracker 5K happening on July 3rd in Cheyenne: https://www.cheyennefirecracker5k.com
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
To wrap up our Affordable Housing Awareness Week discussion series, we chat with Brenda Birkle, Executive Director of My Front Door. My Front Door is a non-profit operating in Laramie County and Albany County dedicated to providing homeownership opportunities to low-income residents through financial education and savings programs. Brenda introduces us to My Front Door's approach to affordable homeownership, their innovative Community Land Trust model, and the far-reaching impacts of homeownership.
Learn more on My Front Door's website: https://www.myfrontdoor.org/
Follow My Front Door on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyFrontDoorHome
Follow My Front Door on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfrontdoorwy/
And check out Affordable Housing Awareness Week Cheyenne's website: https://www.ahacheyenne.org/
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
For Thursday of Cheyenne's first Affordable Housing Awareness Week, we sit down with Kate Wright, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County–as well as Hugh and Dan's boss. Kate walks us through the highlights of her nine years at Habitat, explains the Habitat model of homeownership and discusses Laramie County Habitat's first Veterans Build home.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County: https://www.cheyennehabitat.org/
Follow HFHLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cheyennerestore
Follow HFHLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/habitatcheyenne/
And learn more about Cheyenne Affordable Housing Awareness Week 2021: https://www.ahacheyenne.org/
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
As part of our Cheyenne Affordable Housing Awareness Week spotlight on housing, we talk with Robin Bocanegra, Executive Director of the COMEA Shelter in Cheyenne Wyoming. Robin tells us about the history of COMEA as well as how they overcame the challenges presented by the pandemic.
Learn more about COMEA Shelter at: http://www.comeashelter.org/
Follow COMEA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.comeashelter.org/
Follow COMEA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comea1982/
And learn more about Cheyenne Affordable Housing Awareness Week 2021: https://www.ahacheyenne.org/
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
This week, we interview Misty Savage, the Cheyenne Program Director for Climb Wyoming. Climb's mission is to help low-income single mothers discover self-sufficiency through career training and placement. Misty walks us through the program's method for success, breaks down the stressors and stigmas of single-motherhood, and reflects on Climb's legacy after 35 years as a nonprofit.
Visit Climb Wyoming's website: https://www.climbwyoming.org/
Follow Climb on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/climbwyoming/
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
Ken Wallace returns for the second installment of an oral history on Equal Justice Wyoming's 10th Year Anniversary. See Ep. 10 for Part I.
This time, he is joined by Commissioner Mary Throne of the WY Public Service Commission and Senior Cheyenne Municipal Judge Tony Ross.
Commissioner Throne represented the 11th district from 2007 until 2017, while her counterpart Judge Ross served as Senator for the 4th district from 2005 through 2017. They are also, both, the co-authors of the Wyoming Civil Legal Services Act--which effectively outlines the policies and priorities of Equal Justice Wyoming.
Commissioner Throne and Judge Ross join Ken to reflect on their time in the legislature, the legacy of the Wyoming Civil Legal Services Act, and how they hope Equal Justice Wyoming will "take the show back on the road" as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes.
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Commissioner Mary Throne:
https://psc.wyo.gov/about-us/commissioner-throne
Judge Tony Ross:
https://www.cheyennecity.org/Your-Government/Municipal-Court
EJW Facebook:
[ https://www.facebook.com/EqualJusticeWyoming/ ]
EJWF Facebook:
[ https://www.facebook.com/EqualJusticeWyomingFoundation/ ]
EJW Twitter:
[ https://twitter.com/equaljusticewyo?lang=en ]
Wyoming Civil Legal Services Act:
https://www.courts.state.wy.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/RULES_AND_REGULATIONS_FOR_EQUAL_JUSTICE_WYOMING.pdf
ICYMI: We've updated our name and branding to reflect our expanded area of focus across the entire Cowboy State!
This week we talk to Matt Kaufman, partner at Hathaway & Kunz, LLP and recipient of the 2020 Pro Bono Award for Community Service from the Wyoming State Bar. Matt tells us about his deep Wyoming roots and how that has fostered his dedication to the betterment of the state. He also talks about exciting possibilities for the future of tech and start up culture in Wyoming and teaches us about crypto and the blockchain.
Learn more about Matt's work: https://www.hkwyolaw.com/attorney/matthew-d-kaufman/
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
On our concluding episode of VISTA Voices, we talk to Dana Thompson, who is serving with the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. Dana tells us about her work this year implementing critical harm reduction programs across the Cheyenne community as well as expanding inclusivity in hospital policy. She also talks about what inspires her to serve and her most memorable Wyoming experiences.
Learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA Program at Equal Justice Wyoming: https://equaljustice.wy.gov/index.php/about-us/americorps-vista-program
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
Apologies for missing our Monday release schedule, but not to worry! We have a very special Tuesday episode for you. On our penultimate edition of VISTA Voices, we interview Equal Justice Wyoming VISTA supervisor, Leora Hoshall, and our VISTA leader, Grant Gergen. Leora and Grant talk us about what goes into leading the EJW Cohort as well as why they choose to serve in the great state of Wyoming.
Check out the AmeriCorps VISTA Program at Equal Justice Wyoming: https://equaljustice.wy.gov/index.php/about-us/americorps-vista-program
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Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod
