Local woman shares story, mentors kids
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- Some people from the Youth Outreach Center were out a cleanup near the South Umpqua River on Saturday, and one volunteer had a special reason she was out there giving back.
Kasi Clausen, a leader of the cleanup, is always looking out for the volunteers. She could be heard reminding volunteers to be careful and stay hydrated.
Clausen's path appears to be on the straight and narrow. "I'm looking for safety concerns for everybody that's on the trail," she said.
But there's something you should know about Kasi: "I went to prison for 8 1/2 months," she said.
Abused since age three, Kasi hit the streets on her own at 12-years-old. "There was no help here, and the community was very judgmental," she said.
In no time, she says she turned to pot and meth. "Yeah, I have a record, and it's nothing that I'm proud of, but it's nothing I regret either."
Now at age 31, she's back in her hometown mentoring at-risk kids like herself and getting them involved in community service like this.
As the youth give back, she can't help but tear up. "I feel just truly blessed to be here to give back," she said. "To be able to give back and make people's hearts happy."
YO kasi tell them the truth
I just really want to say THANK YOU to everyone who is supporting the Youth Outreach Center (YO!) and I in our efforts. I am no saint and I have made my fair share of mistakes but with that said.......I am very proud of where I am today and how far I have come. Thank you again everyone! : ) I truly feel blessed!Â
@Kasi Lynn Clausen its not the past its what we think is hiden is the issue...
She did do the 8.5 months in Prison... That was what she served after good time. Oregonhusker do your research before you actually comment on something you don't know. I'm pretty sure if we all were to do a background check on you, there would be spots that you would be ashamed of. She has put her past behind her and has learned from her mistakes. She is a very good person for actually not turnng her back on the community that turned their back on her. You should be glad that she is doing what she is doing because if you have kids you wouldn't want what happened to her to happen to them. Learn from her and walk beside her don't put down someone who is doing something you are afraid of doing yourself.
Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm sure Oregonhusker if we could take a peek into your closet, you probably don't come out smelling like a rose either. Being arrested for DUII, is not the same thing as actually guilty of a DUII. I have read the News Review article as well as the KPIC story, and I'm not seeing where she is being glorified as you put it. She has done a lot in our community as far as our troubled youth are concerned, and she deserves to be commended in that aspect for her dedication to this cause.Â
@FormerOregonOfficer you can't even put your name here,your right they are not the same,drunk drivers kill innocent people and is not a good example to the youth,and to say they shunned me due to my OMMP affiliation...maybe some should think about pounding shots while in this age of iphones and recording capabilities...sure am I out of line? Maybe but at least all is on table with my past and daily activities.....I am another who has survied the system,maybe they should do mine and others stories in the community...my whole case here is what some think that what is done in priviteis privite, is not always true so never be two different people....
She did 8.5 Â months in our jail, not prison. Â She also was arrested for DUII two months ago. Â Neither KPIC or The News Review mentioned that while glorifying Ms. Clausen. Â