Story and photo provided by CASA for Kids for Payne and Logan Counties

Lynnie Skeen grew up all over. As an “Air Force brat” she lived in eight different states, but she now calls Guthrie, Oklahoma, home. Through her education, Lynnie put down deep Oklahoma roots, earning her bachelor’s degree at UCO, her master’s at OU and her doctorate at OSU. She devoted her 36-year career to nursing.

“When I turned 50, I knew I had to do something big,” Lynnie said. “It’s an important year; I needed to do something important. I thought I’d hike the Appalachian Trail.”

Instead Lynnie chose to make a career shift. She started teaching, and spent the remainder of her career training nurses at Langston University. When she retired in January, her boss, a long-time CASA supporter, asked if she was interested in volunteering.

“I had time, and there was a need,” she said. Lynnie attended a CASA Lunch and Learn to find out more.

After completing the 30-hours of training, Lynnie became a CASA in April this year. She is currently on her first case serving three children. She was struck by how valuable it’s been to simply be a consistent presence for children who are going through a very inconsistent time in their lives.

When asked what she thought might surprise people about being a CASA, Lynnie replied, “Some people think it’s a huge time and cost commitment, but it’s not. You have to be very intentional with your time. There is a big-time commitment up front, but there is so much support and help from the CASA family.”

Visit casaforkids.com or call 405-624-2242 to learn more about how you can join the movement and make a difference in a child’s life.