WHAT WE DO.

We create awareness for missing persons of color by providing community outreach programs to inform minority communities of ways to keep our youth safe and educate and train adults and children on ways to avoid human trafficking. The Dock Ellis Foundation works closely with families to assist with navigating the system during a critical moment when a loved one is reported missing. ​

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ACCORDING TO 2021 FBI DATA, BLACK PEOPLE MAKE UP 31% OF MISSING PERSON REPORTS BUT ONLY 14% OF THE US POPULATION. WHITE PEOPLE, MEANWHILE, MAKE UP 54% OF MISSING PERSON REPORTS AND 76% OF THE US POPULATION.

AS SOON AS SOMEONE’S WHEREABOUTS IS UNKNOWN AND THERE IS CONCERN FOR THEIR SAFETY AND WELFARE, THEY CAN BE REPORTED MISSING TO POLICE.

GET HELP TODAY

​We receive and accept tips regarding cases featured on our site. All relevant information will be forwarded to the proper investigating agencies. The Dock Ellis Foundation is a 100% volunteer organization devoted to assisting investigating agencies in bringing closure to national minority missing person cases concerning Missing person (only). It is our mission to bring your loved one home. ​

We understand you

TIPLINE ASSISTANCE

​Every case is different, so every search is different. The police and public don't know the missing person — the best judges of appropriate action will be those closest. You can't do everything, so just do the best you can with what you have.

We are here every step

MEDIA AWARENESS

Media attention is vital in spreading awareness for missing persons. With so many news stories to compete with, it is important that your story is communicated effectively. The internet is an extremely powerful tool, but it must be used with caution.

Community support

MISSING PERSON RESOURCES

Searching is an overwhelming task, but people genuinely want to help, and technology has revolutionized how they can. Police are not your only resource - people power is paramount and there are lots of ways to harness it.

​ADDITIONAL RESOURCE INCLUDE

POSTER

GROUP SEARCHES

BILLBOARD

LONGER TERM IDEAS

OVERVIEW 

SEARCH RESOURCES

• Partner with SAR team for search and rescue
• Food, shelter, fuel provided for search teams in an active search
• Investigative (resources)
• Organize private and public meetings for missing person case effort
• Trained professional – search and recovery units nationwide | K9 unit, aircraft, water (boat, kayak, ski jet, raft, canoe, divers), mounted horse units,ATV-UTV, ground support, command IC, mapping,
• written reports, current sonar and technology instruments used for air-land-water, GPR (ground penetrating radar)​
• Twenty-four-hour public TIP number to be provided for cases of the missing.
• Information provided directly to law enforcement. 

​FAMILY SUPPORT

• Guidance for communities and public awareness projects for missing victims
• Qualified Department of family services support
• Trained Domestic Violence advocates to assist with Domestic violence cases.
• Trained Blue Campaign advocates to assist with sex trafficking cases.
• Support from families of missing or recovered persons | homicide survivors.
• Case goals with positive structure for families of the missing | Identifying case needs.
• Long term care foundation and victim support for families and loved ones of the missing left behind
• Provide spokesperson | advocate for missing person case.
• Support from local and national nonprofit organizations to provide additional support.
• Partner with Private investigators 
• Utilize existing programs that aid in locating a missing individual.

CASE MANAGEMENT

• Act as a liaison for families of the missing, communities, media, agencies and law enforcement
• Media Attention and press release support
• FOIA support
• Awareness campaigns for missing persons, unidentified persons and unsolved homicide cases on a national level
• Bulk mailing project for missing persons
• Complete casework – research of a missing person case
• Counseling resources – group, individual, grief, trauma, homicide, abuse (all forms), rape and mental illness
• Organize poster distribution, internet notification system, organization’s web site and various social media sites.
• Reward seed money – case by case approval
• Securing billboard resources for missing person – case by case​

​During the course of receiving missing person assistance, the advocate will keep the family reasonably informed as needed. Additionally, the family needs to know that there are times when information needs to be withheld so as to not compromise the investigation. It’s important to keep a record of conversations, details about the missing person and anything you can think of while it’s fresh in your mind throughout the missing person’s investigation. Even if you don’t see it as relevant, this information may prove beneficial to you or police at some stage during
the investigation.

Families need to be aware that media attention should be expected and that their loved one’s case may benefit from media attention. The Dock Ellis Foundation may use media outlets in an attempt to generate information for locating a loved one. We provide 24/7 access to our clients. Advocates are available to speak. Please understand due to operating 24/7 we ask that your calls are regarding immediate case updates.
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Please understand we are a nonprofit organization; we rely heavily on donations. We do not create, manage or promote GoFundMe’s.