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

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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.

--

Commissioner Mary Throne:

Judge Tony Ross:

[ https://www.facebook.com/EqualJusticeWyoming/ ]

EJWF Facebook: 

[ https://www.facebook.com/EqualJusticeWyomingFoundation/ ]

EJW Twitter:

Wyoming Civil Legal Services Act:

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