1. How long have you been a CASA?
    I have been a CASA for 5 1/2 years.
  2. What brought you to apply to become a CASA?
    I have always been drawn to children in need and worked with children of at risk populations before my retirement. Two dear friends and mentors, Cheryl Frank and Ellen Brantlinger, encouraged me to become a CASA when I retired. I’m doing this work for children and in honor of their exceptional work and volunteerism for children in need throughout their careers and in retirement.
  3. Besides being a CASA volunteer, what do you like to do in your spare time?
    I love to get together with family and friends. I love beaches and traveling. All of this has been harder or impossible to do of late, so I’m enjoying spending lots of time with my cats and in my flower gardens. I also love to read!
  4. What do you love the most about being a CASA?
    What I love most is definitely developing relationships with the children! They have been put in these situations through no fault of their own. I love seeing them find themselves and move forward with their lives, whether it is reuniting with their parents or finding a forever home with a new family. It is heartwarming to be a part of their journey to find happiness.
  5. And now for a little fun, what’s a hidden talent or unusual fact that most people don’t know about you?
    I used to ski every spring break in Colorado. I have skied moguls and black diamond slopes but found true enjoyment on the gentler slopes. My favorite times were being one of the first skiers out on the mountain in the mornings. At that time there is hardly anyone one the slopes and the snow is fresh. It is so quiet and beautiful looking out over the snow covered ground and trees. There is nothing like it! When I need to get away from life and visualize my “happy place”, my mind goes to those early mornings on the ski slopes.