Meet Wanda Koffler

This story is part of Council of Community Services’ WyoGives Interview Series, sharing conversations with the people who know the Council’s work best.

For Wanda Koffler, Way Station Supervisor, this work is deeply personal.

Since joining the Council on October 19, 2020, Wanda has brought lived experience, dedication, and empathy to her role at the Way Station. Her work centers around crisis response, trust, stability, and helping people feel seen during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

“It comes down to lived experience. Having navigated incredibly difficult times in my own life, I developed a deep desire to give back to my hometown. I wanted to ensure that people facing similar struggles are truly seen and heard, rather than pushed to the margins.”

That desire to help people feel seen is at the center of the Way Station’s work.

One person Wanda’s team has been working with lived under the local bridge for about four years.

“Over time, we've helped him overcome the intense stigma associated with that way of living, guided him in learning to trust people again, and helped him stabilize.”

That kind of progress does not happen all at once. It takes patience, consistency, and a team that keeps showing up.

“Seeing him successfully transition into our Phase 3 Program has been incredibly powerful. It’s a perfect example of what we strive to do every day.”

For Wanda, the daily work is not always visible to people outside the Council.

“They don't see the daily grind. A huge part of this job is helping someone learn how to help themselves after systemic failures have caused them to completely give up.”

The barriers can be different for every person. Housing. Mental health. Paperwork. Trust. Trauma. Basic needs. There is rarely one simple answer.

“No matter what the barrier is—housing, mental health, bureaucracy—our approach is to stand side-by-side with them and work together to find a solution.”

Working in crisis response has reinforced what Wanda already knew: homelessness is complex, and people need individualized support.

“It has reinforced that homelessness is a deeply complex issue requiring equally complex, individualized solutions. There is absolutely no "one size fits all" answer to this crisis.”

Wanda knows how much it matters to have someone believe in you when you are struggling to believe in yourself.

“Because I remember exactly what it felt like when everyone looked at me like I was a hopeless case. I know how heavy that gaze is, and I know how much it matters to have someone believe in you when you can't believe in yourself.”

That belief can be the beginning of change.

When asked why someone should support the Council, Wanda brought it back to community.

“Because it takes a village. This is about neighbors helping neighbors. My own family never expected me to find myself in the situation I was once in, and the truth is, a crisis can happen to anyone. Supporting the Council means ensuring there is a safety net ready to help a family member, a friend, or a neighbor of yours face their darkest moments and find their way back to wholeness.”

Wanda also sees the Council as a place where future crisis response professionals can learn, grow, and bring new solutions to Campbell County.

“Because of the Council, I’ve been trusted with the incredible opportunity to mentor entry-level professionals entering the crisis response field here in Campbell County. Their fresh perspectives and input offer real-world solutions for our community. I support the Council because the foundation built here over the years has become an absolutely vital service to our community. The dedication of the leadership and staff often goes completely unrecognized, yet day after day, they choose to serve our neighbors with true humility and compassion.”

This WyoGives, Council of Community Services is raising $55,000 to support homelessness and housing programs, including the shelter, case management, and staff who help neighbors in crisis.

Your gift helps keep that safety net in place. It helps support the people who show up day after day with patience, humility, and compassion. It helps neighbors in Campbell County find their way back.

Support Council of Community Services this WyoGives and help make sure no one has to face crisis alone. Learn more here.