Nicole Agnes has learned as much volunteering with the YWCA's Girl's Empowerment Program as the young girls she's mentored have learned from her. Agnes began volunteering with the YWCA of Boulder County about a year ago after moving to Boulder as a recent college graduate with an undergraduate degree in psychology.

"Basically, it's just being a good role model and mentor and encouraging them to appreciate their talents and to be passionate about who they are," she said of her volunteer work with Bolder Girls, in which girls in grades 3-5 write articles that are published in The Daily Camera. Agnes has also helped with week-long camps offered by the YWCA on topics such as creative writing and digital photography.

"While they were learning, I was learning," she said of the experience she gained in working with girls "in the crucial time" just before they hit middle school, especially learning how to communicate with that age group. "They know a lot more than we give them credit for," Agnes said.

She still remembers her excitement the first time she saw the girls' articles published in The Daily Camera.

"I was like, 'Oh, my gosh! These are my girls; the ones I've been helping'," she said.

For information about volunteering with YWCA of Boulder County or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.