Dear Gov. Hochul,

I am writing to you as the founder of Hope Alive 845, a community organization based in Sullivan County, NY, that is deeply committed to raising awareness about missing persons and supporting the families who live every day with uncertainty, fear and heartbreak.

Our work is difficult, but it is driven by love—love for our neighbors, for our children, and for those who deserve to be found and brought home. Over the past few years, Hope Alive 845 has reached out to your administration several times to seek collaboration, support or even acknowledgment of the work we’re doing. Sadly, we have yet to receive a response or any indication that this critical issue is a priority at the state level.

Governor, we need you to understand something important:

Families of missing persons cannot afford silence. Our communities cannot afford indifference.

At the same time, I want to recognize and thank the local leaders who have shown true partnership and compassion for our mission.

We have seen leadership that listens and acts—right here at home—from:

Sheriff Michael Schiff, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office

Legislator Terry Bernardo, Sullivan County Legislature

Legislator Catherine Scott, Sullivan County Legislature

Town Councilman Dr. Sean Wall-Carty, Town of Fallsburg

These public servants have led with integrity and have been present for us—not just in words, but in action. They have demonstrated what real government partnership with community organizations should look like: accessible, accountable and compassionate.

Gov. Hochul, I am calling on you to follow their example.

Our organization—and the families we represent—need your voice, your platform and your leadership. New York has the resources and the reach to help bring attention to the issue of missing persons in ways that small grassroots organizations like ours cannot do alone.

We’re asking you to engage with us directly.

Visit Sullivan County. Meet the families. Hear their stories.

Let’s work together to bring more awareness, more education and more support to this cause that affects so many across our state.

We don’t need politics—we need partnership.

We don’t need promises—we need presence.

The people we serve, and the families who are still searching, deserve nothing less.

Domingo Ramos is the founder of Hope Alive 845. The organization is based in Sullivan County, and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness, provide outreach and support families searching for missing loved ones across the Hudson Valley and beyond.