At its April 3 meeting, the Rancho Mirage City Council received an update on the Ophelia Project, a mentorship program overseen by the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation that works with adolescent girls in the Coachella Valley.

Mayor Pro Tem Lynn Milano summarized the program’s mission, noting the project “empowers young teens to increase their sense of self worth and maximize their potential contribution to society.” She introduced program staff, mentors and student participants to give council members a firsthand view of program outcomes.

Peter Sturgeon, president and CEO of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, told council members the Ophelia Project pairs mentors with “vulnerable adolescent girls” and that the one‑on‑one mentoring can “literally change the trajectory” of participants. Student speakers described personal benefits: Diana Diaz Fernandez, a senior at Rancho Mirage High School, said participation helped her confidence and career planning.

Presenters provided program metrics: the affiliate in this region began with 13 girls in 2002 and, speakers said, has grown to serve thousands — presenters cited “more than 5,000” current Ophelia participants and later said nearly 7,000 girls have gone through the program over 26 years. Sturgeon and mentors emphasized the program’s high school graduation record and noted Ophelia was named an American Express PGA Tour charitable partner, which provides national exposure and additional support.

Council members and staff praised the program’s results, and presenters asked cities to continue financial and volunteer support and to help recruit mentors. No formal council action accompanied the presentation.