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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: [email protected]

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! -- 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!

On Hugh and Dan’s farewell episode, we interview Carey Hartmann, the County Library for Laramie County. Carey has been with the Laramie County Library System for over 40 years. She talks to us about the history of the library as well as the changes she has seen throughout her time here. Carey also describes current library programming including efforts to provide services to rural populations, the children summer reading challenge and the exhibits coming soon on display. Visit Laramie County Library’s website: https://lclsonline.org/ And be sure to stop by one of the library’s branches in Cheyenne, Burns, or Pine Bluffs! Follow LCLS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaramieCountyLibrary And on Twitter: https://twitter.com/lclsonline?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Happy reading!

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 - - - 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 - - - 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/ - - - 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 - - - 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 - - - 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 - - - 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! https://www.wyogives.org/ 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 - - - 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: Taylor Albert - Executive Director of Needs Inc. Food Pantry First Lady Jennie Gordon - Director of the Wyoming Hunger Initiative Peaches Tyrrell - Executive Director of the Friday Food Bag Foundation 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 - - - Theme Music: "Dirt Rhodes" by Kevin MacLeod