Samantha Kukucka

Ophelia’s Place is a nonprofit organization that has multiple different locations around the country. This organization focuses on empowering young girls as they navigate the challenges that come along with growing up, going to school, friendships, relationships, body image and more. Ophelia’s Place prides themselves on being a support system and a safe place for girls to come to. Some of the services that Ophelia’s Place offers is one on one therapy with the staff of therapists, girl’s empowerment groups that are done at elementary and middle schools in the Eugene/ Springfield area, drop in, which is an afterschool service where girls come and do homework, participate in crafts and games, or just hangout with the staff members and interns in a place that is designed for them to feel safe. The senior project that I am creating for my site is a pamphlet for girls to use that will contain tips and tricks on dealing with life at home during the pandemic, positive mental health practices and more. Ophelia’s Place has adjusted their services to online because of the pandemic, but I felt there was a gap in discussing how to deal with this huge change we have all been dealing with over the last year. Although my project is centered around being at home because of COVID-19, I am confident that my project will be sustainable into the future and will be of use even when COVID-19 is over because of this new normal we have adjusted to.