Kathy Williams is grateful to her childhood neighbor: an older woman with whom she could talk, an adult friend she could trust. Now, as a volunteer "Partner" with the Partners Mentoring Program, Williams is an adult friend to a 16 year-old girl.

Partners Mentoring Program is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of at-risk young people by helping them develop a positive self-image, a sense of belonging and an acceptance of responsibility through one-to-one mentoring.

Williams and her Junior Partner have "become very good friends" and spend time talking, working on homework and doing fun activities like watching movies. "I like getting to see the teenage perspective on things," Williams said.

As Williams pointed out, her Junior Partner may tell her "things she wouldn't tell her mom, so you have to build trust and weigh it both ways. I like feeling like I'm making a difference in her life."

"I encourage people to do this. It's rewarding and there are so many kids who need an adult friend, even those with supportive parents," said Williams. She added that there are approximately 30 youth currently on the wait-list for Partners in Boulder and Longmont.

For information about volunteering with Partners Mentoring Program or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.