Our Sponsors
Taking Action
Youth Groups & Services
AB537 - Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act
www.bridge-builders.org/diversityLearn about The Student Safety and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 - Assembly Bill 537. Many teachers, students and staff are still unaware that AB 537 exists. See the sites above to better understand the implementation of this law.
ACLU Safe Schools Info
www.aclu.org/getequal/scho
Advocating for safer schools
California Youth Crisis Line
(800) 843-5200 www.youthcrisisline.org www.calyouth.orgNon judgmental for all youth 12 - 24 and for parents with youth of that age.
COLAGE: Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere
1550 Bryant Street, Suite 830, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 861-KIDS (5437)
www.colage.org
www.colage.org/bayarea
Fosters growth of often isolated children of LGBTQ parents through an intergenerational network of local groups providing support, advocacy and community.
Drop-In Center (Santa Cruz)
412 Front Street downtown Santa Cruz (across from the Metro Station) (831) 457-1163Free safer sex supplies and free safer injection supplies; The Drop-In Center is an HIV prevention, harm reduction and community resource center. The Drop-In Center offers free and anonymous HIV testing, free safer sex & safer injection supplies and much, much more! For more information call us.
Youth hours at the Drop-in Center are set aside for participants up to 24 years of age. Snacks are provided, movies are shown, and youth have access to hygiene supplies, harm reduction counseling, and case management. Needle exchange is also offered during this time.
Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
www.glsen.orgGLSEN is the largest national organization that brings together gay and straight educators, parents, students, and concerned citizens in order to end the destructive effects of anti-gay bias in schools across the country.
Gay Straight Alliances (GSA’s)
Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) is a student-run club which provides a safe place for LGBTIQ students and their straight allies to meet, support each other, talk about issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity, and work to end homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.
Aptos High School GSA
Advisor: Tracy Palmer
(831) 688-6565, ext.681
Aptos Junior High School GSA
Advisor: Leslie Smith
(831) 688-3234
GAP (Gay and Proud) - Salud Para La Gente
Mireya Gomez
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School GSA
Advisor: Cynthia Druley
(831) 423-0658 ext.202
Harbor High School Rainbow Society GSA
Advisor: Ron Indra
(831) 429-3810, ext:1320
North Monterey County High School GSA
Advisor: Annameekee Hesik
(831) 633-5221 x251
Pacific Collegiate Charter School GSA
Advisor: Lauren Friend
(831) 479-7785
Pajaro Valley High School GSA
Advisor: Deanna Young
(831) 728-8202 ext. 1171San Lorenzo Valley High School GSA
GSA advisor: Joan Frey
(831) 335-4425
Santa Cruz High School Rainbow Alliance GSA
Advisor: Todd Bank
http://sites.google.com/site/gsaschs
Scotts Valley High School Unity Through Diversity GSA
Advisor: Kelly Reiner
(831) 439-9555Watsonville High School GSA
Advisor: Alysia Sharief
(831) 728-6390
Gay-Straight Alliance Network
1550 Byrant Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-4229
www.gsanetwork.org
Empower youth activists to fight homophobia in schools. Support services for newly developing and existing Gay-Straight Alliance groups on school campuses in California.
The GLBT National Youth Talkline and Infoline
2261 Market Street, #296, San Francisco, CA 94114
(800) 246 PRIDE
www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org One of the nation’s only peer-run support lines for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth 25 and younger. You can call and talk about anything that’s on your mind. The line is 100% free, safe and confidential. Telephone peer counseling, local resources for the entire country and information. Other National line for youth and adults (with longer hours) (888) 843-4564
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA)
Safe Schools/Healthy Students Programs
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems among children and to improve peer relations at school. School administrators and teachers are trained and committed to follow through in implementing preventative and intervention strategies. The program is offered to all elementary and middle schools within the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
Outlet Program
711 Church Street, Mountain View, CA 94041
(650) 965-2020 ext. 22
www.projectoutlet.org
Outlet supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth ages 13-18 living on the Peninsula and South Bay. Through our range of support services, leadership training, community education and advocacy, Outlet successfully increases youth confidence, builds personal
assets, and creates healthier communities.
Pajaro Valley Unified School District AB537 Advisory Team
Cathy Stefanki Assistant Superintendent, North Zone (831) 786-2100 x 2540Monthly meetings to respond to AB537 issues. Teachers, parents, and students welcome.
LGBT services
Catherine Hatch Assistant Superintendent, Central Zone (831) 786-2308
Promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families, and friends through:
• support - to cope with an adverse society
• education - to enlighten an ill-informed public
• advocacy - to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights.
Queer Youth Leadership Awards
(831) 427-4004 www.QYLA.orgAn annual awards ceremony held in the spring, the QYLA honors outstanding queer youth, allies and organizations. The mission of QYLA is to improve the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning youth by increasing the positive awareness of queer youth leadership, and increasing safe and welcoming environments in home, school, and community. This event is a project of the Santa Cruz County Task Force for LGBTIQ Youth (aka Queer Youth Task Force/QYTF), an affiliate of The Diversity Center.
Queer Youth Scene
The Diversity Center
1117 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 (831) 425-5422 www.diversitycenter.org/programs/queer-youth-sceneCreating queer youth events for all of Santa Cruz County such as youth conferences and camps. All youth driven. Have an idea for a program, call us!
Queer Youth Task Force
Santa Cruz County Task Force for LGBTIQ Youth
(831) 427-4004
www.QYTF.orgComprised of individuals and organizations that work with, or are interested in supporting, LGBTIQ youth in Santa Cruz County. They meet to exchange information about current services, assess unmet needs, strategize about new resources and improve current resources, collaborate county-wide about ways to improve services, and develop community responses to issues that arise. Sponsors the annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards where outstanding LGBTIQ youth, allies and organizations are honored. Cosponsors the Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County and the Transgender Teen Project of Santa Cruz County. The Task Force is an affiliate of the Diversity Center.
Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County
(831) 427-4014 www.QYTF.orgRaises awareness of the harsh atmosphere queer youth face on school campuses in Santa Cruz County; advocates for the enforcement of AB 537, The California Student Safety & Violence Prevention Act of 2000; and is a catalyst for action in each school district to help make schools safer for all youth. Students and parents welcome. Internships available. A project of the Queer Youth Task Force.
Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) GLBT Task Force
Maryanne Tong
STRANGE
(831) 469-1700 x131 Program Coordinator, Vanessa Wilson www.scccc.org/strangeA youth empowerment program that and supports leadership and training. We hold weekly meetings for queer youth and allies, and provide opportunities for support, socializing, and activist work. We also hold and participate in activities throughout Santa Cruz County and beyond. We actively collaborate with other queer and youth-serving organizations and Gay/Straight Alliances (GSAs) to create needed safe spaces. STRANGE is a program of Youth Services at the Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center.
Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast
(831) 459-9373 (crisis line)(877) 663-5433 (toll free)
(831) 459-9373 (office)
Individual and group support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Information and referral.
Transgender Teen Project of Santa Cruz County
(831) 427-4004 www.QYTF.orgFocusing on transgender students in middle school and high school, the goal of the Trans Teen Project is to bring attention to gender identity/expression of K-12 students and how AB 537 mandates safe schools for all students, including Transgender students. A project of the Queer Youth Task Force.
The Trevor Helpline
Suicide prevention aimed at gay youth
(866) 4U-TREVOR (488-7386) www.thetrevorproject.orgThe Trevor Project has established the first national, 24-hour toll-free suicide prevention hotline aimed GLBT and questioning youth. Teens in crisis with nowhere to turn can call toll free where they can talk to trained counselors, find local resources and take important steps on their way to becoming healthy adults. All calls are free and confidential.
Triangle Speakers
P.O. Box 8280, Santa Cruz, CA 95051 (831) 425-5422 www.trianglespeakers.orgTriangle Speakers is a Santa Cruz County Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Education Project. The mission is to eliminate the fear, prejudice, and hatred against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people so that a healthy environment exists for all members of our community. Speaker panels comprised of trained volunteers talk to 4-12th grade classrooms, community agencies, religious groups, government employees, conferences, and anyone else who requests a panel. There is no fee. Triangle Speakers is working to increase its ability to provide bicultural, bilingual, & monolingual Spanish speaker panels.
Tri-County Foster Grandparent & Senior Companion Program
234 Santa Cruz Avenue, Aptos, CA 95003 (831) 475-0816 x 16 www.seniorscouncil.orgFoster grandparents and senior companion volunteers serve in schools and adult daycare centers and receive benefits of a $2.65/Hr non-taxable stipend, lunch and travel costs.
Youth Services
Santa Cruz:
709 Mission Street and 191 Harvey West Blvd., Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 429-8350Watsonville:
241 East Lake Avenue, Watsonville, CA (831) 688-8856 www.scccc.orgYouth Services is an adolescent and family counseling agency designed to help Santa Cruz County youth and families find positive solutions to the wide range of challenges that sometimes arise in adolescence. There is also an Alternative High School.
Youth Services Crisis Line
Santa Cruz: (831) 425-0771Watsonville: (831) 728-2226
Mon-Fri: 9 to 5
The Santa Cruz County Community Counseling Center provides counseling for teens (including run-a-ways) including family conflicts, emotional, personal, or drug and/or alcohol problems, and neglect, abuse, and or molestation. Call 24 hours every day.
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