Our Mission
The Ophelia Project®, a service of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, is a group mentoring program run by successful women who are dedicated to helping adolescent girls in the Coachella Valley. By participating in planned activities with these volunteer mentor role models, teens are assisted with setting goals for their future and are guided away from at-risk environments. Our objective is to encourage young girls to develop hope for their future and to acquire the skills necessary to make their dreams a reality.
Our Name
The Ophelia Project’s philosophy and name is derived from the book written by Mary Pipher, Ph.D., entitled Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls.
Our Program
Program content addresses issues young women face and provides educational and skill-building opportunities aimed at increasing self-esteem, enhancing decision-making and coping skills, identifying career/educational opportunities and building community awareness. Specific goals are to help teenage girls:
- Have a positive self-image and self-esteem
- Take personal responsibility for choices
- Understand self and have good interpersonal relationships
- Recognize options and expand their horizons
- Acquire career and life skills
- Respect and care for their bodies
Our Mentors
Our volunteers are adult females who come from all walks of life and have one thing in common: They are excellent role models for young girls. Mentors possess good listening skills; are responsible, objective and non-judgmental; demonstrate good leadership; are trustworthy and supportive; and exhibit positive attitudes. Our mentors also strongly support The Ophelia Project® by committing appreciable time and effort to mentoring activities as well as to administrative needs.
Time/Schedules
Most activity occurs during the school year (September – early June). This schedule is attractive to part-time residents who can participate actively during most of the school year. Most group mentoring activities are held on weekday afternoons. Mentors are expected to participate in these events, assist with administrative needs as requested and attend a monthly meeting. During the school year, each mentor is expected to spend approximately 12 hours/month with the Ophelia program. Summers are spent preparing for the next school year with available mentors; time demand then is about 5 hours/month.
How Do I Apply to Become a Mentor?
The Ophelia Project® needs women who have attributes and backgrounds beneficial to our program to enhance its value for young women. If you are interested in joining and are able to commit the time and effort required, call our office at 760-862-9898, for more information. The screening process will include completing an application with references, an interview, orientation and fingerprinting. Once this process has been successfully completed, a $35/year membership contribution is to be paid by those who join The Ophelia Project®.
