Ophelia is a program of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization located in the Coachella Valley of California.
“Empowering young teens to increase their sense of self-worth and maximize their potential contribution to society.”
In these rapidly changing times, when we are moving from the information age to the knowledge era and are facing severe economic and social challenges, political conflicts, and other difficult issues, women and children are still among the most vulnerable sectors of societies. The threat is particularly dire for young girls.
Research shows that investing in girls’ health, education and empowerment leads to better educated, safer, healthier and economically powerful girls. However, most adolescent girls face challenges that make it difficult to achieve their potential.
The Ophelia Program provides the hope, health and opportunity girls need to transform their lives through education, mentoring, leadership and life skills needed to break the generational cycle of poverty. Launched in 2002 with just 13 girls in one school, there are now more than 5,000 Ophelia girls, all of whom graduated high school on time with college and/or career plans.
Today, Ophelia:
- Works to support students to stay in school, maintain their attendance and experience academic success – 100% of Ophelia girls graduate with college/career plans.
- Collaborates with schools to create positive and supportive learning environments that promote confidence, healthy behaviors and wellness and reduces violence, drug use and other risky behaviors.
- Inspires with insight from a seasoned, adult mentor with practical knowledge and who has achieved a level of expertise girls aspire to attain.
- Prevents negative outcomes and promotes resilience among vulnerable adolescent girls, who are the key to breaking the generational cycle of poverty and abuse.
Ophelia's Early Beginnings
In 1998 the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation (JFK Foundation) was identified as the first national affiliate of the Ophelia Program by the initial Ophelia Board of Directors in Erie, Pennsylvania. Ophelia Program of Coachella Valley began serving a very small group of a few girls, with a few volunteer mentors in a single school. Some 15 other sites around the United States became affiliates through the early years but all eventually folded for various reasons leaving the Coachella Valley chapter to be the last continuing program.
The Ophelia Program of Coachella Valley not only survived but was greatly successful, growing to 20 school sites across 3 independent school districts, the program is prepared to serve more than 500 girls each year with a volunteer force of 120 professional mentors and business leaders.
In 2014, JFK Foundation was asked to become the Ophelia Program National Headquarters when the Erie program closed its doors. We were honored to be asked by the original leaders to take over this responsibility. Being asked to take the national leadership of this program is greatly due to the growth and development of the Ophelia Program Coachella Valley model. The success of this model speaks for itself.
Since inception, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation Ophelia Program has served over 7,000 girls, achieving a 100% graduation rate. Our vision is to continue to provide and expand Ophelia Program in the valley assuring its benefits for future generations of teenage girls.
Ophelia’s Founder – Sue Wellman
Sue Wellman, (living in Erie, Pennsylvania) attended a lecture to hear author Dr. Mary Pipher speak on the topic of her book “Reviving Ophelia”. The concept of the book was based on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” and the trials and tribulations suffered by the young girl, Ophelia. In the book Ophelia dies! Dr. Pipher was saying that we should be aware of the emotional damage done to young girls oppressed by certain situations in modern societies.
Ms. Wellman was so moved by that important message, she launched an anti-bullying program intended to build self-esteem in young girls … and the Ophelia Program was born!
Sue Wellman’s dedication to nurturing, developing and expanding Ophelia led to establishing Ophelia Program Chapters in various cities across the U.S. The Coachella Valley Chapter was the first ‘associate’ program developed.
In 2013 the Board of Directors in Erie announced they were closing their doors! Coachella Valley Ophelia Program was so strong, had survived the bad economy of 2007/08 and was rapidly growing! Sue Wellman joined the Ophelia Program of Coachella Valley Board of Directors, became a major donor and asked the Coachella Valley Chapter to assume the role of National Headquarters!