GIRLS WITH DREAMS
BECOME WOMEN WITH VISION
Powerful Speakers. Interactive Sessions. Live Music.
Saturday, October 10, 2026 // Girls ages 12–18 // FREE Event
Location: East Los Angeles College
The 2026 Girls Empowerment Conference is an inspiring and transformative event dedicated to supporting the personal growth, confidence, leadership, wellness, and future success of young girls. Our mission is to empower participants with the skills, knowledge, resources, and confidence needed to navigate adolescence, discover new possibilities, and boldly embrace their future.
Please save the date! The 12th Annual I Matter-Girls Empowerment Conference, hosted by LA County Parks, will take place on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at East Los Angeles College. This impactful event will welcome over 1,500 young women ages 12–18 from diverse communities across Los Angeles County.
The conference advances equity through parks and recreation by creating a welcoming space where girls can amplify their voices, build confidence, connect with positive role models, explore educational and career opportunities, and envision a future filled with possibilities. Through innovative programming, an inclusive environment, and meaningful engagement, GEC 2026 will inspire participants to recognize their strengths and pursue their goals.
Back by popular demand, the conference will once again feature the Well-Being Village and Resource Fair Activation, interactive spaces where participants can engage in hands-on activities, connect with community and County partners, explore resources, and discover new ways to support their wellness, creativity, and personal growth.
Workshops and experiences may include:
- Positive and Healthy Relationships – Build communication skills while learning about respect, healthy boundaries, self-worth, and positive connections.
- Career Exploration – Discover different career pathways, educational opportunities, and hear from women working across a variety of industries.
- Mindfulness and Self-Care – Explore practical strategies for stress management, emotional wellness, mindfulness, and resilience.
- Women in STEM – Learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and connect with women working in STEM-related fields.
- Girls in Sports – Explore how sports and physical activity can strengthen confidence, teamwork, leadership, discipline, and personal growth.
- Entrepreneurship – Hear from female entrepreneurs, explore the fundamentals of business and innovation, and learn how ideas can become opportunities.
- Dance and Movement – Celebrate movement, music, self-expression, and the contributions of influential women in dance and Hip-Hop culture.
- Self-Identity – Engage in conversations focused on confidence, body image, self-care, personal growth, identity, and empowerment.
- Empowerment and Resiliency – Build confidence, recognize personal strengths, develop leadership skills, and learn strategies for overcoming challenges.
- Be You Vision Board Party – Use creativity and goal setting to visualize future aspirations, personal goals, and the possibilities ahead.
- FREE FOOD, SNACKS More!
The Well-Being Village and Resource Fair will feature additional hands-on activities and experiences such as junk journaling, key chain making, bracelet making, sports and fitness activities, college and career exploration, mindfulness activities, prizes and giveaways, live music, a DJ, and interactive community partner activities.
Participants will also have opportunities to connect with Los Angeles County departments and community organizations offering resources focused on health and wellness, education, careers, creativity, personal development, and community connection.
Past and participating partners may include the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, LA County Library, LA County Public Works, and other community partners.
Registration is FREE and required. Space is limited, so register early!
REGISTER HERE!
Registration is FREE and required. Space is limited, so participants are encouraged to register early.
- Transportation assistance will be available through designated LA County Parks – Our SPOT Teen Center locations. During registration, participants who need transportation should indicate that they are requesting transportation and select the Our SPOT site that is most convenient for them as their pick-up location. Transportation availability may be limited, so early registration is encouraged.
LA County Parks-Our SPOT Teen Center Locations:
1. Transportation Pick-Up Location 1 – Belvedere Community Regional Park
a. 4914 E. Cesar Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022
2. Transportation Pick-Up Location 2 – Eugene A. Obregon Park
a. 4021 E 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90063
3. Transportation Pick-Up Location 3 – City Terrace Park
a. 1126 N Hazard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063
4. Transportation Pick-Up Location 4 – Ruben F. Salazar Park
a. 3864 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90023
5. Transportation Pick-Up Location 5 – San Angelo Park
a. 245 S San Angelo Ave, La Puente, CA 91746
6. Transportation Pick-Up Location 6 – Pamela County Park
a. 2236 Goodall Avenue, Duarte, CA 91010
7. Transportation Pick-Up Location 7 – Jackie Robinson Park
a. 8773 E Ave R, Sun Village, CA 93543
8. Transportation Pick-Up Location 8 – El Cariso Community Regional Park
a. 13100 Hubbard St, Sylmar, CA 91342
9. Transportation Pick-Up Location 9 – Loma Alta Park
a. 3330 N. Lincoln Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
10. Transportation Pick-Up Location 10 – Stephen Sorensen Park
a. 16801 E Ave P, Lake Los Angeles, CA 93591
11. Transportation Pick-Up Location 11 – Amelia Mayberry Park
a. 13201 E Meyer Rd, Whittier, CA 90605
12. Transportation Pick-Up Location 12 – Earvin Magic Johnson Park
a. 905 East El Segundo Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90059
13. Transportation Pick-Up Location 13 – Lennox Park
a. 10828 S. Condon Avenue, Lennox, CA 90304
14. Transportation Pick-Up Location 14 – East Rancho Dominguez Park
a. 15116 S Atlantic Blvd, Compton, CA 90221
15. Transportation Pick-Up Location 15 – Franklin D. Roosevelt Park
a. 7600 Graham Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90001
16. Transportation Pick-Up Location 16 – Mona Park
a. 2291 E. 121st St, Compton, CA 90222
- Parents and guardians are welcome to attend with their youth. Please note that conference workshops, activities, and participant experiences are designed for and reserved for registered youth participants. Adult seating and access to certain areas of the event may be limited. A designated Parent and Caregiver Lounge will be available for adults who remain on-site during the conference.
- Limited FREE parking will be available in Parking Structure 3-D1 at East Los Angeles College.