WyoFind & MMIP Wind River: Right Where We Stand...and sip!

When I saw Cowboy State Daily's article, Wyoming Coffee Shops Putting Photos Of Missing Wyoming People On Coffee Sleeves, the first thing I thought was: "This...is...brilliant!" So I shared the post on MMIP Wind River's Facebook page and before I knew it, Stacy Koester (founder and president of WyoFind) reached out to me and asked if I'd like to get the program going in Fremont County/WRIR.

Absolutely! I put Stacy in touch with Amanda Henry of Brown Sugar Coffee Roastery, who had hosted UprisingWyo's Bust the Myths human trafficking presentation back in January, and then met with Ivan Posey, who said that he would help coordinate efforts with The Grind at CWC. And there it was...the start of something wonderful in networking our county and tribal communities in the MMIP cause.

Partnerships and teamwork with organizations such as WyoFind is what MMIP Wind River is all about... seeking ways to increase community awareness is a part of our mission in "Strengthening Collaboration". In my experience, keeping that daily awareness going long after MMIP Awareness Day (May 5) is over and done, has been a challenge. But WyoFind came up with (once again) a brilliant way of not only keeping the conversations going, but to help and support the families and relatives who are grieving their missing loved ones.

I've created a page off of the MMIP Wind River website for information on how to submit photos and information of missing persons to WyoFind. What they need for the sleeves (or stickers) is the photo and name of the missing person, the date they went missing, the name of the agency that is handling the case, and a phone number. You could also submit your information on their Submit A Tip page/form, and they can follow up with you for a photo.

For local coffee shop owners who want to get on board, you can either email me at mmipwindriver@gmail.com (Here's a little 'perk'...I'll come to your coffee shop and buy a cup of coffee!)....or, you can go to WyoFind's page and scroll down to "Become a Coffee Shop supporting this campaign" and enter your information.

And if you want to make a difference, right where you stand? You can be a part of the WyoFind team! Support WyoFind with a donation, or they even have an Amazon Wish List where you can browse through the items they need to cover the costs of creating the sleeves/stickers. Also...there are currently 18 coffeehouses that are a part of this (once again) brilliant campaign that brings awareness to those who are missing in Wyoming. So get out and about, buy a cup of coffee, support your local busineses, and spread the word!

Strengthening collaboration. Providing resources. Improving response. I would say all three elements of our mission statement are acheived in our partnership with WyoFind, our local businesses, and the people they serve. And what better way to keep the conversations going than over a nice cup of coffee, right where we stand...and sip!

Carol Harper

Project & Outreach Coordinator

MMIPWindRiver.org

Email: mmipwindriver@gmail.com

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WyoFind is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 99-2419834) dedicated to raising awareness for Wyoming’s long-standing missing person cases. Every product purchased directly supports our Face on a Coffee Sleeve Campaign, which places the faces of missing individuals on coffee sleeves and drink cup stickers across the state. Through community partnerships and volunteer efforts, WyoFind works to keep these cases visible and ensure that families of the missing are never forgotten.