Hot topics and things to know.
All content in our blog is posted for use by anyone who is seeking help — OP participants or not. We encourage you to share these posts with people you think will benefit. For your convenience, we’ve sorted content into hot topics, and you search below.
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Recognizing and Addressing Ableism in Youth Culture
Recognizing ableism in youth culture is vital for fostering inclusivity and respect for individual youth with disabilities. Ableism, based on assumptions about abilities, can lead to exclusion and discrimination. By raising awareness and taking proactive measures, youth can help create a culture that values everyone's abilities and contributions, regardless of their ability. How does it show up?
Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe & Respected: Sexual Assault Awareness Month
During April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it’s a great time to review how we can help youth navigate healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries.
Black History Month - Celebrating Black Women and Girls Now and Always
Black History Month celebrates and honors the achievements of Black people, and is a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. It’s also a time to honor and celebrate Black girls who make invaluable contributions to their communities. Empowered girls change their world, and the whole world too.
Pronouns: “It’s Just A Phase”
More often than expected, we hear adults and parents of young people who are exploring their identity say, “It’s just a phase.”
The phase is learning, the phase is identity exploration, the phase is finding out what fits. It serves a purpose while youth grow up.
Filling the Cup: What Is Self-Care?
We hear about it all the time, but let’s take a second to get back to basics about self-care.
Relational Aggression AKA Girl Drama AKA Bullying
Being a young person in school can get extremely challenging when dealing with bullying and other aggressive behaviors from peers. As an adult ally, learn more about how you can recognize aggressive behaviors and how to support youth who are targets.
OP Announces Laura Sanchez as Incoming Executive Director
After 15 years of leadership and girl empowerment, Ophelia’s Place Executive Director Verna Wise Matthews is passing the leadership baton to OP’s vice president of programs and licensed professional counselor, Laura Sanchez. Sanchez will take over as executive director on Nov. 1.
Ophelia’s Place expands to Albany & Linn County
Tracy Berry of McKenzie River Broadcasting shares the great news that Ophelia's Place has opened a downtown location in Albany Oregon, expanding OP's empowerment services. Let’s listen.
Ophelia’s Place to Open Space for Girl Empowerment in Downtown Albany Soon
Albany-area girls ages 10-18 will soon have the opportunity to meet new friends, explore new interests, and connect with trauma-informed adults to help navigate the joys and challenges of their teen years.
The Back-to-School Challenge
We made it. A year ago students, parents and school staff alike dreamed of the day when kids would be able to return to school, and now here we are, gearing up for staff and students to return to in-person learning. Support youth and yourself during the transition.
We Help Ourselves When We Help Each Other
Often when we talk about self-care, it’s focused on the things we can do as individuals to handle stress. It’s also important to acknowledge that we are part of a larger community that experiences stress and offers strength.
Caring for Youth Post-Election
Youth are more dialed into elections or your feelings surrounding them than we might think. Help the young people in your family manage post-election anxiety with the following tips.
Hope: Our Most Powerful Asset
The Oregon wildfires reminded us that the best thing we can do to stay grounded and hopeful is to help others.
Caring Conversations
COVID-19. Protests. Lack of financial and job security. Election year. Isolation from friends. We are navigating an unimaginable time right now. As schools transition back in the fall, students and staff will be processing a collective trauma. Caring conversations will help.
5 Tips for Educators to Transition Back to School During COVID-19
It can be hard to return to school on a normal year, and this year is far from normal. Understandably, this makes transitioning back to school more challenging. Here are 5 tips to help ease the back-to-school shift.
Creating a Back-to-School Routine
The best part of summer is the break from our usual responsibilities. That means the worst part of summer ending is frantically trying to get “back in the swing of things.” Routines can reduce the stress that comes with transitioning back to school.