In this special email update from CASA SKY, we share an interview with outgoing Board Chair, Sandy Colyer, who has served on the CASA SKY board for the past five years. We are so grateful to Sandy for her dedication to CASA and serving the young people of Pulaski and Rockcastle Counties. If you’ve been wanting to get more involved in CASA, read through the below to discover why it’s been so meaningful to Sandy and what’s she’s planning to do after her board tenure ends on July 1.
We are so grateful for your ongoing support and leadership, Sandy!
An Interview with outgoing Board Chair, Sandy Colyer
How long have you been involved with CASA and why did you want to be involved?
I’ve been involved with the Court Appointed Special Advocate program of Southern Kentucky for five years. Most of my career has focused on working with children facing mental health challenges, so I’ve seen firsthand how vulnerable kids can be—especially when they’re involved in the court system. I already knew how valuable the CASA program was, and I wanted to be part of it because every child in that situation needs someone in their corner. Someone who’s focused only on what’s best for them. That’s why I chose to get involved—to be that steady, consistent voice for a child who needs to be heard.
What would you say to someone considering becoming involved with CASA on the volunteer or board level?
If you’re thinking about getting involved with CASA—whether as a volunteer advocate or on the board—I’d say do it. This work changes lives, not just for the children we serve, but for the people who step up to help. As a volunteer, you become a consistent, trusted presence for a child who may not have anyone else fighting just for them. And if you serve on the board, you’re helping steer an organization that gives kids in crisis a real chance at stability and hope. It’s meaningful, it’s necessary, and it’s work that truly matters.
Has there been one meaningful experience or moment that stands out as part of your CASA experience?
I always knew CASA was important to the children we serve, but one moment really made it personal. I was working at the CASA booth during the Rockcastle County Fair when a young woman came up and shared her story—how CASA had been there for her during one of the hardest times in her life, and how it truly saved her. Hearing that directly from someone who had lived it reminded me exactly why this work matters. It was powerful. Another part of what stands out to me is meeting new board members and seeing how committed they are to CASA’s mission. Their energy and dedication are inspiring, and it’s been awesome to be part of a group so focused on making a real difference.
Why do you think CASA is so valuable to our region?
CASA is incredibly valuable to our region because it fills a critical gap for some of our most vulnerable children. When kids are caught in the child welfare system, they often don’t have a voice advocating just for them. CASA provides that—someone who shows up, listens, and advocates for what’s truly best for the child. In a region where resources can be limited and caseworkers are stretched thin, having trained volunteers focused solely on the child makes a huge difference. It helps kids feel seen, supported, and not forgotten. That kind of advocacy can change the entire course of a child’s life.
Do you have personal or professional plans after you roll off the board?
My tenure on the board ends July 1st, and my next step is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time—completing the CASA Volunteer Training so I can serve as an advocate for a child involved in the court system. It’s been an honor to be a CASA Board Member and support the organization at that level, but I’ve always wanted to be on the front lines, working directly with a child and being that steady, trusted voice in their life. I’m excited to take that next step and continue serving CASA in a new and meaningful way.
