Empower Grant Highlight: How United Search Corps and Higher Hope Are Teaming Up For Justice
Imagine living through the daily nightmares of not knowing what happened to a missing family member. For many families, this agonizing uncertainty stretches from days into years, and sometimes even decades. Local law enforcement doesn’t always have the resources to continue their efforts after a certain amount of time, and in these instances, cases go cold, leaving families with unanswered questions. This is where United Search Corps steps in. Operating under the mission of “Finding Hope. Giving Peace,” this incredible nonprofit organization is dedicated to addressing the heartbreaking crisis of missing and murdered individuals by providing expert, no-cost search and recovery services to families in need.
So, who are they and what do they do?
United Search Corps is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to locating and recovering missing persons. Founder and search specialist Doug Bishop and his team specialize in investigating cold cases, conducting underwater dives and utilizing sonar technology to support their recovery missions. Not only do they actively participate in the search for missing people, they consult with and train law enforcement on groundbreaking search tactics, investigative techniques and sonar technology. Family advocacy is also a core mission of this non-profit. They provide resources and support to families impacted. To quote United Search Corps, “We don’t search. We find.”
In the case of Steven Anderson, United Search Corps brought closure to his family, nearly 20 years after he disappeared. Despite several searches, U.S.C managed to recover his remains more than 100 miles away from where he went missing. This is what they do – and they do it at no cost to families. They believe that with the right tools, many cold cases can be resolved.
Empowering Their Mission: The Higher Hope Foundation Funds $27,000 Towards Upcoming Efforts
In an effort to help solve 6 high-priority, upcoming searches, the Higher Hope Foundation has awarded United Search Corps with a $27,000 Empower Grant dedicated to supporting their efforts. The upcoming searches are for the following missing persons:
- Richard Stanley Meyer – Nederland, CO
- Darwyn Lee Hope – Boise, ID
- Jerry Lee Armstrong – Hernando, MS
- Danielle Imbo & Richard Petrone – Philadelphia, PA
- Paul Michael Mercuri – New York
- Theresa Kawash – New Jersey
This funding will help support the team’s travel, lodging, equipment, fuel and field operations, as well as aid in their collaboration with law enforcement agencies. Importantly, it will also ensure families receive ongoing support at no cost to them.
A Renewed Search For Richard Stanley Meyer: Missing Since 07/29/1989
One of the specific cases this funding will support is the search for 39-year-old Richard Stanley Meyer, who disappeared from Nederland, Colorado in 1989. After leaving church and having lunch with a friend, Richard was never seen again. Though he was reportedly headed back to his residence in Columbine Campground, near Central City, he failed to make it back and his car, a 1978 Dodge Monaco, has also never been found. (FL license plate number FDL-30J).
Upcoming search efforts to locate Richard and the other 5 victims highlight United Search Corps mission, which is Finding Answers, Giving Peace. The Higher Hope Foundation is honored to support them in any way we can.
In June, members of our team met up with Kenny and Doug from United Search Corps to see their work in action during an initial search for Richard. Haley, Higher Hope’s Foundation Coordinator, was among the participants, “It was an incredible experience to witness the work Doug and Kenny do and the dedication they bring to help solve cold cases. Seeing the impact of our Empower grant firsthand—and the difference it’s making in real investigations—was truly powerful.” Higher Hope remains eager to see the impact U.S.C will continue to make, not only for Richard’s case, but for the countless others they have dedicated their time and money to try and solve.
“Relentlessness to accomplish the impossible makes it possible.” – Doug Bishop, United Search Corps Founder & CEO
To learn more about United Search Corps and support their work, go to UnitedSearchCorps.org
