Empowering Middlesex County Students Since 2004
The Young Women’s Conference is Wellspring Center for Prevention’s annual signature event dedicated to empowering high school–aged young women across Middlesex County, New Jersey. Hosted in collaboration with the Coalition for Healthy Communities, the conference provides a full day of education, inspiration, and skill-building focused on helping young women navigate challenges, build confidence, and make healthy choices that support their long-term wellbeing.
With Appreciation for Our Sponsors Through the Years
We’re grateful to the local businesses and community partners who helped make last year’s Young Women’s Conference possible. Your support helped remove barriers to attendance by funding student transportation, meals, and conference materials.
What Is the Young Women’s Conference?
First held in 2004, the Young Women’s Conference was created in response to schools identifying a growing gap in services tailored specifically to the needs of female students. Educators and community partners reported rising concerns related to self-esteem, stress, unhealthy relationships, financial literacy, and increasing substance use among young women.
Each year, the conference brings together hundreds of students from high schools throughout Middlesex County for a structured, supportive environment where they can learn, reflect, and connect with trusted adults and peers. The event consistently reaches full capacity and has served more than 1,500 young women over its history.
Conference Theme and Experience
The conference is traditionally built around an empowering annual theme, including My Journey, My Voice: Empowering Young Women, and features a mix of interactive workshops, engaging speakers, and creative presentations designed to resonate with today’s students.
Workshops focus on real-world topics relevant to young women, including:
- Healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Positive body image and self-confidence
- Stress management and coping skills
- Substance use prevention and decision-making
- Identity, culture, and personal values
Students also have access to an exhibit hall where Coalition member agencies share resources and support services that participants can bring back to their schools and communities. Faculty advisors attending the conference participate in parallel workshops designed to help reinforce learning and extend impact beyond the event day.
A Program Grounded in Prevention Science
The Young Women’s Conference is rooted in evidence-based prevention principles that emphasize repeated exposure, skill development, and supportive environments. Research shows that prevention efforts are most effective when youth receive consistent messaging and opportunities to practice healthy behaviors over time.
Conference workshops are designed to enhance protective factors, reduce risk behaviors, and connect students with resources they may not otherwise know are available to them. The program draws on nationally recognized prevention strategies, including those supported by the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP).
Creating Lasting Change in Schools and Communities
Many past conference participants have gone on to create clubs, campaigns, and initiatives that continue to impact their schools long after the event. Examples include peer-led self-esteem groups and school-wide messaging campaigns promoting confidence, inclusion, and healthy choices.
By centering student voices and supporting culturally responsive programming, the Young Women’s Conference helps ensure that prevention efforts are meaningful, relevant, and sustainable within each school community.
Learn More or Get Involved
The Young Women’s Conference is open to all Middlesex County high schools and their female students. Schools, sponsors, and community partners interested in learning more about participation or support opportunities are encouraged to connect with Wellspring Center for Prevention.
Your sponsorship makes it possible for schools to participate regardless of budget or transportation limitations. Sponsorships directly offset the cost of buses, meals, and conference materials so more students can attend at little or no cost.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Advocate Sponsor – $200
Recognition as a conference sponsor, including your company logo and website link on the Coalition and conference webpages, plus recognition in the conference program and event signage.
Empowerment Sponsor – $500
Includes all Advocate benefits, plus the opportunity to provide a one-page informational handout at the sponsor table and recognition in post-event thank-you communications sent to participating schools.
School Sponsor – $1,000
Includes all Empowerment benefits, plus a company sign or banner displayed at the conference and a reserved sponsor table in a high-visibility area during the event.
Flagship Sponsor – $1,500
Includes all School benefits, plus a featured sponsor spotlight in post-event blog coverage, press releases, and social media, distribution of your company brochure or product to participants, and a three-minute speaking opportunity during the opening session.
Additional Ways to Support
Organizations may also choose to make targeted contributions, such as:
- Sponsoring student transportation (bus sponsorships)
- Providing meals or refreshments
- Funding conference materials and supplies
We are happy to work with partners to create a sponsorship opportunity that aligns with your mission and level of interest.