SELCO Presents GirlCon

(EUGENE, Ore.) — Girls ages 10 to 18 will once again have the opportunity to immerse themselves in “geek culture” at the Ophelia’s Place Parent-Daughter GirlCon, which is presented by SELCO Community Credit Union and modeled after the popular annual Comic-Con Convention. Scheduled for June 29 from 1–4:30 p.m. at the Wheeler Pavilion at Lane Events Center, the second annual event will feature anime, video games, cosplay, technology to art, and more in a celebration of fandom of all kinds, with an emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) subjects.

Springfield designer and illustrator Kelsey Buzzell will keynote the event and offer a live demonstration. In addition, SELCO volunteers will present a retro video game living room. Other guest exhibitors will offer demonstrations ranging from wand-making to larping (live-action role-playing). Girls are also invited to cosplay during the event.

GirlCon is more than just a fun afternoon for girls. It is in support of the mission of Ophelia’s Place, a prevention-based nonprofit based in Eugene that is dedicated to helping all girls make healthy life choices through empowerment, education, and support. Not a formal fundraiser, and open to girls outside the Ophelia’s Place program, GirlCon was designed as a way for girls to enjoy “geek culture” in a safe place with other like-minded girls.

SELCO is a key partner for Ophelia’s Place, working closely with the organization on its parent-daughter events, GirlCon, and a fall financial literacy workshop.

To learn more about Ophelia’s Place and GirlCon, visit www.OpheliasPlace.net or call Teri Conklin, Ophelia’s Place Communications Coordinator, 541-284-4333.

WHAT: Ophelia’s Place Parent-Daughter GirlCon presented by SELCO

WHO: Springfield artist Kelsey Buzzell will keynote the event, which will include a live illustration demonstration. In addition, SELCO volunteers will offer a costume makeup demonstration and retro video game living room. Other guest exhibitors will offer various demonstrations, including VR, robotics, wand-making and larping.

WHEN: Saturday, June 29, 2019, from 1–4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Wheeler Pavilion at Lane Events Center, 796 W 13th Ave., Eugene

COST: Admission is free, though donations to Ophelia's Place are encouraged.

OTHER: Founded in 2005 by Rosaria Haugland in Eugene, Ophelia’s Place is a prevention-based nonprofit dedicated to helping all girls make healthy life choices through empowerment, education, and support. Teens deal with a lot of issues while navigating growing up, whether it’s making smart digital decisions, building healthy relationships, dealing with body image and media, or bullying prevention. Ophelia’s Place provides the tools and support to help youth become the best versions of themselves.

Ophelia’s Place aims to support girls by giving them an opportunity to develop supportive relationships and strengths that will lead to long-term well-being.

The Eugene and Junction City locations give girls a place to drop-in after school to be with other girls and supportive adults, and to participate in activities, do homework, or just hang out. Girls can also use counseling services if needed. Since July 2018, the After and Out-of-School Program has made more than 1,980 connections with girls in Eugene and Junction City. Ophelia’s Place’s school programs in Linn and Lane counties include girls’ empowerment programs and classroom presentations to all youth, including boys. Its school programs have reached more than 9,800 students since September 2018. And Ophelia’s Place provides training and support for educators and parents, understanding it takes a holistic approach to make positive impacts on the lives of youth.

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