CASA for Kids of Payne and Logan Counties is pleased to announce the volunteer couple of the month for CASA for Kids is Jim and Jean Key. They are literally the “first couple of CASA”, serving for over 18 years!
The Keys have lived in Stillwater with their two children since 1969, when Jim accepted a teaching position in AgEd at OSU. Jean taught at Skyline Elementary for 16 years, after teaching in several other states prior to moving to Oklahoma. They are members at Highland Park United Methodist Church. Through their church, they worked with a prison ministry called Kairos, which eventually led them to working with CASA.
The Keys have won multiple awards, including the 2015-2016 Perseverance Award. Harvey Myers, Supervisor of Permanency with DHS, who has worked with the Keys for years said “This couple has taken the role of being a Court Appointed Special Advocate to heart, and have never shirked their responsibility or set aside their relationship with their appointed child. There have been innumerable times over this decade of service they could have given up as multiple placements, emotional and behavioral issues, legal issues, OKDHS policy and protocol, and multiple attempts at permanency have proven to be challenging to say the least.”
The Keys have seen 15 cases to completion during their service with CASA, and they have gained the reputation of being genuine and open-hearted. Their refusal to ever give up on a child, accompanied by their ability to keep an open mind is evident in the Keys’ success with CASA.
CASA for Kids of Payne and Logan Counties is grateful for all of our volunteers! Please consider what you can do in the life of a child. Visit casaforkids.org or call 405-624-2241.
