Youth Programs
Our Youth Programs provide safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth and allies to connect, express themselves, and build community through social events, leadership opportunities, and creative workshops. We empower young people by fostering resilience, self-discovery, and advocacy, ensuring they feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
All participants must adhere to TDC’s Youth Community Agreements.
Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire!
Date: Friday, July 17
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: Twin Lakes State Beach in Santa Cruz
Ages: 11-17
RSVP: tinyurl.com/rainbowyouthbonfire
Have fun, toast marshmallows and hot dogs, play beach games, and more! Please read our youth code of conduct before attending.
Watsonville Rainbow Youth Beach Bonfire!
Date: Friday, August 14
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Palm Beach State Park, Watsonville
Ages: 11-17
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/tdcrainbowbonfire
Have fun, toast marshmallows and hot dogs, play beach games, and more! Please read our youth code of conduct before attending.
Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council Meeting
Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, The Diversity Center, Our Gente, and QYTC
Date: Thursdays, July 2 and 16
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School students
RSVP: tinyurl.com/montereyrcyec
🌈 Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council! 🌈
✨ Be the visionaries behind Rainbow Connections youth events!
✨ Learn leadership and community building skills.
✨ Meet other LGBTQ+ youth and co-create a safe space where we can share resources and receive peer to peer support.
This youth leadership group is co-faciliated by Rainbow Connections Partners The Diversity Center and The Epicenter
Please reach out to chris.garcia@diversitycenter.orgif you have any questions or are interested in joining the council!
We're Outside! Under the Sun this Rainbow Summer!
Hosted by: The Diversity Center and The Epicenter
Date: Friday, July 10
Time: 4:30 - 7:00 pm
Location: Moss Landing State Beach
Jetty Road off of Highway 1, 95039
Ages: Middle and High School LGBTQ+ youth & allies
RSVP:tinyurl.com/weareoutsiderainbowsummer
Come and hangout with us this summer! We will have coloring pages, some snacks, and beach games! This is a great way to hangout with friends and make more friends.
Feel free to bring a chair and or a blanket to feel more cozy.
Snacks and game materials will all be provided.
RSVP is required for this event due beach restrictions and to ensure we can prepare for the appropriate amount of supplies.
Rainbow Connections is a project led by Monterey County Behavioral Health designed to cultivate environments of support, inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ youth across our community. The Diversity Center is a proud Rainbow Connections partner.
Please contact chris.garcia@diversitycenter.org or azul.carreon@diversitycenter.org with any questions
School Support + Community Partnership
The Diversity Center supports schools by visiting LGBTQ+ Clubs and providing educational presentations and training for students and staff.
We are open to partnering with local teens and organizations to plan fun, educational, and activist-oriented events. Please contact us!
See our students in action, featured in PBS’s Inside California Education.
Download our local LGBTQ+ Student Rights, Advocacy, and Community Resources Guide!
Rainbow Reader
The Rainbow Reader was inspired by a local LGBTQ+ magazine from the 1980s called the Lavender Reader. The Lavender Reader was far ahead of its time in providing accurate HIV/AIDS prevention information, political observations, local and national news, nuanced gay, lesbian, and bisexual content, and visibility for trans community members.
In this magazine, you’ll engage with material made by and for queer, allied, and trans youth from throughout Santa Cruz County. Contributors range from elementary to high school age. We hope you have some fun, feel inspired, and learn something new.