CASA of the High Plains
Court Appointed Special Advocates of the High Plains has appointed four new members to its board of directors.
They include Travis Phillips, Thelma Berland, Kristen Osborne and Marissa Lambert.
Travis Phillips
Travis Phillips, 52, of WaKeeney is a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper.
He has also served as a WaKeeney Lions Club member, WaKeeney FFA alumni board member, USD 208 Board of Education member and is a volunteer with the Ten33 foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides peer support stress mitigation training to fellow first responders.
"I want to make a difference in a child’s life," Phillips said. "Throughout my career I’ve witnessed the tragedies and heartbreak in children’s lives. I don’t just 'wish' I could help children in need, I actually want to help them and be a positive light in their lives."
Thelma Berland
Thelma Berland of rural Damar has been a speech-language pathologist for 25 years.
In addition to two school districts, she also serves a hospital and a nursing home. She has held many volunteer positions, including volunteering with Girl Scouts, cheerleading and her local Catholic youth group.
"I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to serve on the CASA board. I have followed this organization for years and have been impressed with their mission," she said.
"I know my school career of service to parents and students is possibly coming to a close at some point, and the potential for continuing to serve children and families in need is very, very important to me," she said.
She said she hopes, at some point, to train to be an advocate and transition to that position.
Kristen Osborne
Kristen Osborne, 28, of Hays works for the Department for Children and Families doing vocational rehabilitation.
"I wanted to be a part of the CASA board after seeing what an impact the CASA volunteers and the CASA organization make for the youth they serve," Osborne said.
"Working in a children's psychiatric hospital for four years, I was able to see the connection and support a CASA volunteer can provide to a youth during a difficult time," she said. "I am passionate about advocating for others and making this world a little brighter through positive connections and relationships. I hope to be able to assist CASA in increasing the number of youth served."
Marissa Lambert
Marissa Lambert of Liebenthal is employed by Adams Brown Strategic Allies and CPAs.
She was a past member of the USD 489 Foundation for Education Excellence board.
If you are interested in serving on the CASA board or serving as the court appointed special advocate, you can call the local CASA office at 785-628-8641 or email [email protected].