Meet Lana Randen-Gaskins

This WyoGives, Council of Community Services is sharing stories from the people who know the work best. Each story offers a different look at why local support matters and how every gift helps neighbors in Campbell County.

For Lana Randen-Gaskins, board member, the Council is more than a service organization. It is a place of hope for people who may not know where else to turn.

“In 2015, I was laid off from my job and had some time on my hands, so the previous director at the time (Stacy) asked if I would help the Council with putting together some updated policies. I officially joined the board in 2017 after being asked enough times by Jerry Tystad.”

That first connection eventually became a long-term commitment to the Council’s mission.

“The first connection was when I helped with policies and procedures, but at the time I was on so many other boards and didn’t want to commit my time until I had less board commitments. It was really Jerry who convinced me that the Council board was an important one to join and seeing him be such a champion for the organization made it seem like a great opportunity to finally join.”

Growing to Meet the Need

Over nearly a decade on the board, Lana has seen the Council grow and improve in ways that have helped both the people receiving services and the community supporting the organization.

“The funding we have received over the years, especially to expand and do remodeling, has been incredible. These funding opportunities that are hard to get and maybe don’t seem like “direct” services have really made the Council received in a better light by the community. And if we are perceived better by the community by having nice facilities and dedicated staff, then these improvements make a difference to those we are helping especially while the need rises, and those who are supporting us.”

Those improvements matter because the need continues to rise. Strong facilities, dedicated staff, and reliable support help make the Council a place where people can come during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

That is one of the reasons WyoGives is so important. Every donation helps keep local services available for people who need food, shelter, warmth, rest, emergency support, and a path forward.

A Place of Hope

When asked what the Council means to the community, Lana described it clearly.

“I think it really is a place of hope. Things are really hard for people right now and it’s already difficult enough as it is to receive help. There are so many different barriers to go through to apply for assistance and so many different places you can go for assistance, that it ends up feeling like a giant mountain you have to climb by yourself. The Council is a place where someone in need can come to and the staff will help them take the steps needed to get to the top of that mountain.”

That image captures what the Council does every day. When someone is overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or facing several challenges at once, the Council helps them take the next step.

Support may look like a meal. It may look like shelter. It may look like warmth, rest, case management, or help finding another resource in the community. The work is practical, but the impact is deeply human.

Showing Up Without Judgment

Lana has also seen the Council support people who never expected to need help.

“When the coal mines were struggling and several major ones had to close, like in 2016 and 2018, a lot of people that worked at these mines had to use the Council’s services for the very first time. The Council really stepped up in a nonjudgemental way because even if these families were used to working well-paying jobs before, they still needed the help at the time and CCS was there for them.”

Many people are closer to needing help than they realize. A lost job, unexpected bill, medical expense, family crisis, or major change in the local economy can quickly leave someone needing support.

The Council is there for those moments. It provides help without judgment and gives people somewhere to turn when life changes unexpectedly.

Why Community Support Matters

For Lana, supporting the Council comes down to two things: community responsibility and basic human needs.

“I feel like there is really two sides to it. For one, people should be involved in their communities, and if you’re a good leader you should take the initiative and help people in your community that are in need. The second side is that really, everyone should be able to fulfill their basic needs as humans. The Council helps provide shelter, food, rest, warmth, these needs that everyone has but are harder for some people to get. The Council provides it. And we provide it to people that sometimes don’t have anyone looking out for them, so we do.”

That is what your WyoGives donation supports.

It helps the Council continue providing basic needs for people in Campbell County. It helps make sure neighbors have access to food, shelter, rest, warmth, and support. It helps the Council continue looking out for people who may not have anyone else looking out for them.

A Family Culture of Giving Back

For Lana, volunteering is not just something she does. It is something her family has grown up around.

“I honestly think they might say “mandatory” because in our house, everyone is a part of volunteering for the Council and other organizations. My kids have been raised in the world of volunteering and I think it’s important for the next generation to continue giving back to their communities. My kids just happen to be “volun-told” as they would call it.”

That spirit of giving back is what keeps local organizations like Council of Community Services moving forward.

This WyoGives, your donation helps keep the Council a place of hope for Campbell County. Every gift supports local programs, dedicated staff, and the neighbors who come to the Council looking for help, stability, and a way forward.

Support Council of Community Services during WyoGives and help ensure our community continues to look out for its own.