LETTER FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
March 2017
Volume 3, Issue 1
At Ophelia’s Place we empower girls every day.
Research shows that empowered girls are emotionally strong and
confident in their ability to control their future. We see girls’
confidence grow after attending Ophelia’s Place school presentations,
Skill-building classes, After-school Drop-in, and Girls’ Empowerment Groups. They believe in
themselves, set goals, and seek help when needed.
Ophelia’s Place empowers girls because:
 Empowered girls get through difficult times by accessing resources and using
positive coping skills
 Every girl has the right to equal opportunities
 Every girl has the right to be safe from violence
 Empowered girls foster healthy families
 Empowering girls drives positive cultural change
After attending Girls’ Empowerment Groups, girls say:
 “I know more about people and places I can access for support.”
 “I feel more confident in myself.”
 “I have changed the ways I choose friends and partners.”
 “ [I have learned] healthy is being able to communicate and respect each other.”
I would like to personally thank you for your investment in girls, whether through your
donations to Ophelia’s Place, the time you give to girls in your life, or acting as a role model
for young women. We appreciate you for being part of our community by actively helping
girls reach their full potential.
Ophelia’s Place is fully funded by generous donations, private foundations,
local fundraisers and a modest amount of optional fees
paid by girls, families and schools.
Melissa Shang, 2017 Stronger Than You
Know Conference speaker
THIS ISSUE

Letter from the Executive
Director

2017 Conference Recap

OP Girl Spotlight—WACY

Girls Rule! 2017

New OP Staff

Third Annual Trivia Night
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 20—Embrace Film at
Valley River Center. 7:30pm
April 15—Girls’ Rule! 2017
May 20—Third Annual Trivia
Night
July 3—Summer camps start
CONNECT WITH US
PLACEHOLDER FOR GIRLS RULE GRAPHIC
Facebook.com/
OpheliasPlaceEugene
Instagram
Ophelias_Place
Subscribe at
opheliasplace.net
Page 1
2017 STRONGER THAN YOU KNOW CONFERENCE
Ophelia’s Place was thrilled to host the first annual, Stronger Than You Know, youth-service provider conference in February.
This unique, girl-focused, professional development opportunity was two days of learning, sharing and discussing issues and
strategies related to our inaugural theme: Girls and Resilience. We were honored to have Melissa Shang, 13-year-old disability
activist and author of Mia Lee is Wheeling Through Middle School; and Sarah Robles, American weightlifter, two-time Olympian
and body-positivity advocate, as our keynote speakers. Through sharing their own experiences, these two remarkable women
inspired attendees to recognize the resiliency and strength in girls.
Topics ranged from helping girls develop resilience to body shame to supporting girls with physical disabilities. Sessions were
engaging and unique; including one that focused on using yoga and mindfulness as supportive tools, and another that
concentrated on talking to girls about sex and sexuality. We had speakers and attendees from all over the state of Oregon, and the
supportive presence and energy of all who attended reinforced what we already know: Strong, empowered women and girls can
create positive change! Thank you to all of our conference sponsors, speakers, and attendees!
OPHELIA’S PLACE GIRL SPOTLIGHT: WACY
The young women of The Women’s Advisory Council for Youth (WACY) were motivated to create the original production, “The
Training Bra Monologues,” in support of One Billion Rising. One Billion Rising is an international activism event, typicallyon or
near Valentine’s Day, that focuses on building community through celebration to end violence against women. The Training Bra
Monologues is a production featuring performances of poetry, prose, and song (many of which are original) that highlight the
voices of young women. WACY has presented this production for the past two years as a benefit for Sexual Assault Support
Services.
What motivated you to participate in One Billion Rising and create
the Training Bra Monologues?
We feel that not a lot of people in our community think about these issues,
especially as they affect young women. It’s important and beneficial to us to be
part of a group that does think about these issues and we are really excited to
support the great work of SASS! We often hear about support and fundraising for
other non-profits—which is great!—but it’s also important to help out other
crucial but underfunded agencies.
We also really enjoy and appreciate having a place to hear the talented voices and
experiences of young women in our community.
Why are you involved in WACY?
Some of us have personal and family experiences that were difficult and needed
support; it feels really good to have people to talk to. WACY offers a genuinely safe
space to share about life and build a close knit group of other young women who
are supportive and committed to making a difference.
What is WACY, exactly?
The Women’s Advisory Council for Youth is a group of young women, ages 12-18,
operating within Ophelia’s Place. WACY helps advise and provides insight to the
organization, and advocates for girls in the community and beyond with support
from Ophelia’s Place staff.
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CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF GIRLS RULE!
Can you believe it? We are hosting our tenth Girls
Rule! this year. Get ready to have a blast at Girls
Rule! 2017: It’s Rocket Science!
Girls Rule 2016
Girls Rule 2016
We want to thank our Girls Rule! 2017
Sponsors
This year’s space travel themed event is for girls
ages 9-14 and a caring adult. Workshops will focus
on science, technology, engineering, art and math
(STEAM) concepts. We encourage attendees to add
some space-themed flair to their outfits, come in
full costume (we want to see aliens, robots,
astronauts and scientists!), and of course come as
themselves!
This year’s keynote speaker, Brooke Martin, is a
17-year-old high school student from Spokane, WA.
When Brooke was 12 she invented iCPooch, a
device that people can use to interact with their
dogs and dispense treats remotely, using a
smartphone, tablet or computer. Brooke is now
adapting this technology to the healthcare
industry with a device called iCLovedOnes.
OPHELIA’S PLACE STAFF
River Aaland
Site Coordinator
Sarah Cheesman
Development Director
Abra Cooper
Office Manager
Sofie Elizalde
Receptionist
Parisa Emam
Therapist
Celeste Kandleman
Communications Coordinator
Kyra Kelly
School Program Coordinator
Erin Moberg
Skill-Building Coordinator
Attendees should come in pairs and girls must be
accompanied by an adult.
Yuki Roberts
School Program Assistant
This is a free event, with a suggested donation of
$10-$50 per pair. Girls and adults should come in
pairs—girls must be accompanied by an adult.
Laura Sanchez
Program Director
Register now at www.opheliasplace.net,
or call (541) 284-4333
Jessica Sarontay
Therapist
Verna Wise
Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEET OUR NEWEST (BILINGUAL) STAFF!
Abra Cooper, Bilingual Office Manager
Abra joined the Ophelia’s Place Community in 2016 as the Office Manager and is
responsible for many of the “behind the scenes” operations. She has been thrilled to
become part of such a dedicated, intelligent, and philanthropic staff and organization.
Prior to joining the team at OP, Abra worked for Oregon Social Learning Center as an
Assessment Coordinator supporting children and teens in foster care and with 4J
School District as a Special Education Teacher. She earned her M.Ed. in Spanish and
English as a second language in 2002 and her M.S. in Special Education in 2015. You
can reach Abra at [email protected].
Erin Moberg, Bilingual Skill-Building Coordinator
Erin joined the Ophelia’s Place team in September 2016 after accepting the
position of Bilingual Skill-Building Coordinator. Born in Upstate NY, Erin has lived
and worked in Ecuador and Mexico and is fluent in Spanish and English. She spent the
past seven years teaching courses in Spanish on Chican@, Latin@, and Latin American
cultural production while completing her Ph.D. in Romance Languages. Erin always
intended to engage her academic experience and knowledge outside of academia in the
local community she now calls home. She is thrilled to collaborate with and learn from
OP staff and youth in her role as Bilingual Skill-Building Coordinator. Erin is especially passionate
about ensuring access to OP on-site and school services for Spanish-speaking youth and families. You
can reach Erin at [email protected].
Sofie Elizalde, Bilingual Receptionist
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Sofie worked hard and graduated from Long Beach
City College medical assistant/administrative program. For the last 5 years, she
worked in the medical field, but sought something different and found Ophelia’s Place
in 2016. Sofie loves and enjoys interacting with others and thinks that there is no
better place to do that than Ophelia’s Place. Aside from working part-time at
Ophelia’s Place, Sofie is also a part-time student at Lane Community College,
determined to eventually transfer to the University of Oregon. You can reach Sofie
at [email protected].
Chris Parra, President
Katie Green, Vice President
Marc Steinbaugh, Treasurer
Esther Jacobson-Tepfer
Cynthia Allyn
Rosaria Haugland, Founder
Gil James
Tiffany Nash, Secretary
Craig Opperman
Tiffany Brown
Kathleen Wiley
ADVISORY BOARD
Janet Anderson
Rick Buck
Robin Burk
Nancy Golden
Cathy Hamilton
Gina Ing
Storm Kennedy
John Moseley
Minalee Saks
Barbara Sloat
Carmen Urbina
Connie Wonham
Casey Woodard
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Ophelia’s Place
1577 Pearl St., Suite 100
Eugene, OR 97401
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
EUGENE, OR
PERMIT NO. 451
Phone: 541-284-4333
Fax: 541-284-4332
E-mail: [email protected]
Se habla español
Address service requested
www.opheliasplace.net
Our Mission:
Ophelia’s Place is a prevention
based organization dedicated to
helping girls make healthy life
choices through empowerment,
education and support.
Our Vision:
All girls are safe, valued and
empowered.
SUPPORT OPHELIA’S PLACE SUMMER PROGRAMS
AT THE THIRD ANNUAL TRIVIA NIGHT
Saturday, May 20, 2017, 6:00pm—9:00pm at Ninkasi Brewing
Bring your A-game as you and your team face-off against The Wise Ones: The winning trivia team for two years running.
This event truly puts the “fun” in fundraising! Enjoy a catered meal from Mucho Gusto, tasty brews from a Eugene favorite, and a night of friendly competition. Seriously, though— we are rooting for a new winning team— show the Wise Ones
you mean business!
$400/team. Beer, food and non-alcoholic beverages provided. Participants under 21 are welcome.
To register, call Sarah Cheesman, Development Director, at (541) 284-4333 or email [email protected]