"Many teens are being abused and don't even know it," says Sherry Dougherty who volunteers with Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley, an organization working to end all kinds of relationship violence by providing shelter, counseling, and much more. Safe Shelter creates an "opportunity to move from a history of abuse to a future of hope," as Sherry articulates it.

Using her skills as a teacher, Sherry mentors teenage educators. She recalls the electrifying moment when she realized that the teen counselors of Teens Ending Relationship Abuse (TERA) are so much more effective than adults in prompting a student audience to "interact and open up".

Through TERA, kids learn that "abuse is more than just being slapped," elaborates Sherry - in our age, phone calls, emails, and even text messages can be tools of abuse. Sherry believes that education and awareness are "essential in stopping abuse before it begins."

In this joint effort, everyone benefits. Sherry feels "fortunate to be involved," and maintains that the Safe Shelter staff members "are the heroes, not me!" At the same time, Sarah Gail of Safe Shelter emphasizes, "Without Sherry, the TERA program wouldn't be where it is today!" and adds, "We love Sherry!"

For information about volunteering with Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.