Innovation Personified- The CUE Center for Missing Persons
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Background-
Whether a person goes missing for an hour or for years, it is still the most surreal experience ever! I estimate that for our family, my Dad was unaccounted for from approximately 7 pm to 7 a.m. the next morning in April 1981.
Although the police tried to construct a timeline, if they had delved deeper, I believe they would have discovered his identity sooner. What difference do a few hours make? A lot! We knew his habits and what occurred prior to leaving home in the early evening hours. There were intervening circumstances and lack of follow up by the police, as he was a business owner and well known in the community.
There was no need for an article in the morning paper for my mother to discover in horror which set off a chain of events that would not come to trial for 6 ½ years and then ‘the life sentence without him’ due to the heinous act of homicide. The moment of truth for me was when someone at the police station walked past us carrying a plastic bag with my Dad’s raincoat which I recognized. That was a defining moment for me. It was real! He was shot down and stolen away from us at age 47.
It was that experience that literally changed my life. For the past 44 years, I have been advocating for homicide survivors.
It was a coincidence years later that I was able to make the connection with Monica Caison and the Community United Effort. Life again became rewarding in another way to serve others! I had found a ‘new family’ with others sharing the experience.
I have always been an advocate. However, I chose to do things that fit my definition of INNOVATION and for that reason, I was attracted to the CUE Center for that reason.
Introducing Innovation – Community United Effort!
Is there any doubt that someone would want to assist a worthy all volunteer non-profit nearly 30 years in existence that provides assistance to missing person families as their primary function AND has offered a multitude of innovative programs? Yes, it’s the COMMUNITY UNITED EFFORT (CUE CENTER FOR MISSING PERSONS) based in Wilmington, NC with outreach and members throughout the country!
Another primary focus is their highly coordinated ‘boots on the ground’ active searches and K-9 training/certification programs which remain so important!
‘Just a few examples over time of other innovative programs-
State Outreach Coordinator Program- Providing local, state and regional assistance with trained volunteers for assistance and support to families once a case is registered.They gather information, consult with CUE staff, provide education, support and resources to family members, offer assistance to local law enforcement in a case management capacity.
I joined the CUE Center as a volunteer and State Outreach Coordinator beginning ~ 2011.
A National Road Tour spanning several days called ‘On the Road to Remember’ whose purpose was to increase awareness of missing persons, unsolved homicides and cold cases. Each event along the route was unique and featured a loved one gone missing in order to generate new information with public and media attention.
I was honored to be one of the event sponsors for victims in the State of Connecticut in 2014.
“I Am One” Social Media Awareness Campaign featuring ‘posters’-including a personal photo, name,date last seen, the City and State. These are featured with all of the other registered CUE missing persons. Missing persons gone recently or for many years remain on the website, in hopes that one clue could be the key to solving their case! A link to personal profiles is also on the website.
This campaign creates increased awareness that there are still over 600,000 persons who go missing annually!
“Safe & Found - Who Comes to Look for You?”- Program & Activity Book
Founder, Monica Caison conceptualized the book as a teaching tool, introduced in 2013. This illustrated book is a treasure for kids in Kindergarten to 5th grade. Through reading, active listening, coloring, doing word games, and stimulating discussion, it creates a balance between educating and alarming children to the safety hazards and needs today in the event they go missing.
I had the opportunity to create three large scale ‘Safe & Found’ events in 2023, for children and their families in Myrtle Beach, SC surrounding this theme. It was immensely rewarding!
CUE ‘Annual Conferences - Prior to the COVID pandemic, CUE was renowned for sponsoring one of a kind stellar conferences, held in Wilmington, NC with nationally known expert presenters on a wide variety of topics important to service providers, volunteers and missing persons families.
It also included a breathtaking candlelight vigil and award ceremony, fun activities and multiple opportunities to network with other professionals.
I have been very involved as a volunteer with the Conference behind the scenes, assisting with the procurement of quality speakers and using my writing skills over the years to promote their good works in several capacities.
***Free Services Offered by the CUE Center
Search and Recovery, Victim Support, Investigative, Awareness Resources
Canvassing – foot, vehicle, neighborhood /door to door
Teams- K9, air, water (boat & divers), horseback, 4- wheelers, ATV, GPR, ground pounders, command IC, mapping control, current technology instruments
Case goal/efforts with guidance for families of the missing.
Support from local and national sisterhood organizations
Act as a liaison for families, media, agencies and law enforcement
Financial aid/most cases
Community and public awareness programs for missing victims
Provide a variety of guest speakers and topics
Finger printing/ photo ID programs /DNA technology
Poster/ flier distribution, to include internet distribution nationally
Billboard resources
Reward resources
Safety/prevention workshops
Organizing private and public meetings for case effort
Utilize all areas of case resources and identifying case needs
Provide spokesperson / advocate for missing person case
Campaign force effort in locating the missing
Counseling resources – group, individual, grief, trauma
Food, shelter, fuel provided for search teams and families of the missing
Complete investigative casework of missing persons
Support group and victim resources; homicide, abuse, rape and mental illness
Bulk mailings project for missing persons
If you experience a loved one or a good friend gone missing, time is of the essence! If you need expertise, resources,information and support, contact the Cue Centerfor Missing Persons. 24 HOUR LINE 910-232-1687 With a collaborative approach, they frequently assist your local law enforcement. To begin the process, a missing persons report must be filed with police and then registered with the CUE Center for Missing Persons. http://www.ncmissingpersons.org/file-a-report
CUE DONATIONS are always appreciated with all funds committed to the work of locating missing persons and supporting their families.