Dedication, tenderness and compassion earned Joy Shanley recognition, as a "stellar volunteer" at The Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties. Shanley has always wanted to help children with emotional and behavioral problems, and she strongly believes that "it is important to make a difference in a child's life." Shanley is now pursuing a degree in Psychology at CU Boulder and since 2007 has been volunteering as a Youth Advocate at The Mental Health Center.

At The Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties, their mission is to "advance human potential through excellence in treating mental illness" and strive to support families and individuals toward independence and community integration. Shanley was given the responsibility of a young boy, and has been meeting him weekly with dedication, no matter how busy her schedule with work and college.

Describing her mentoring experience Shanley says, "I love working with him. He talks about school and his friends, and we just have a great time together. I care about him deeply." This mutual friendship, according to Shanley, is the basis of the therapeutic relationship between them. Sometimes, she says, there are occasions when it becomes necessary to point out the difference between her and the boy's family. She was invited home by the young boy for Christmas, but she explained to him kindly that "Christmas is for family and I will meet you three days afterwards."

"Though we do maintain boundaries like a therapist, it is important to build a rapport and connection," Shanley states. Shanley fondly declares her love for The Mental Health Center based on the "good hearted people who genuinely have their clients' best interest in mind."

For information about volunteering with The Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.