The Diversity Center’s 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.
For more information, please contact our Director of Well-being Programs via email here.
Monthly Programs
Rainbow Kids Circle
Date: Every First Saturday
Ages: 5-11
For Details Contact: rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com
Rainbow Kids Circle is a monthly 90-minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies ages 5-11, and their families. The group meets on the first Saturday of each month. Participating kids must be accompanied by an adult family member. Siblings ages 10 and under are welcome to attend. Families will have the opportunity to do arts and crafts, read a story, enjoy a snack, and engage in free play with other gender-diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies. Together we will create an accepting, affirming playgroup. This group is facilitated by Sara. For more information about the meeting date, time, and location please contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com.
GenderVentures
Date: Every First Saturday
Time: 2:30-4:30 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 11-18
RSVP Here
Gender is a journey that we all traverse, and whether it’s trotting, skipping, or sashaying- every single one of us must navigate our own gender identity. One of the best ways to freely explore gender diversity safely is to do so with community! GenderVentures will offer tangible skills for young people wanting to investigate their own gender identity or expression.
Special Events & Activities
Queer Prom Planning Committee
Date: Monday, April 14
Time: 4:15-5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: LGBTQ+ and allies in High School in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties
RSVP Here
The Diversity Center is excited to begin planning for our annual Queer Prom, a magical evening celebrating LGBTQ+ joy and community. We’re inviting high school students to join the Queer Prom Planning Committee to help make this event unforgettable!
💡 What You’ll Do:
Brainstorm themes, decorations, and entertainment
Create Queer Prom decor
Help invite Queer students from Santa Cruz and Monterey County to dance with us
Share ideas to create a fun and inclusive environment for all attendees.
🗓 Meeting Details:
Where: Via Zoom with some in-person meeting opportunities
Lotería Tabla Art Activity with PRISM CLUB and The Diversity Center @ Raíces y Cariño
Date: Friday, March 14
Time: 5:30-7:00 pm
Location: Raíces y Cariño 1205 Freedom Blvd Unit 3B, Watsonville
Ages: 6th-12 grade students
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCyouth2025
Join us at PRISM CLUB, a community GSA club for 6th-12th grade students at RC Fam in Watsonville! We will mix culture and creativity as we dive into the history of La Lotería, share family memories of playing the game and discover how we can reimagine it with a Pride twist. Learn about other cultures and share your own! We’ll brainstorm 54 unique words that celebrate our identities and community, then get creative designing vibrant, one-of-a-kind cards that reflect our culture and Pride.🌈🎨✨
When our unique Pride La Lotería cards are done, we’ll put together Lotería tablas (game boards) and host a special Drag and Pride La Lotería event @ RC Fam in April. We need your help to create one-of-a-kind PRIDE Lotería tablas.
Learn more about TDC youth events and sign up here.
Learn more about the PRISM CLUB here.
Prismatic Gathering
Date: March 21 and every third Friday
Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: 11-18
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCyouth2025
Prismatic Gathering is a monthly activity for LGBTQ+ youth ages 11-18. Join us for skating, mini golf, movie nights and more! No matter the activity, Prismatic Gatherings are safe and welcoming spaces for youth to connect, unwind, and have an amazing time!
Youth Legal Name and Gender Marker Change Workshop
When: Wednesday, March 26
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Ages: For youth under the age of 18 and their legal guardian
RSVP here.
During this two hour workshop, participants will be given packets with the required forms needed to change either one’s legal name and/or gender maker, with detailed instructions on how fill these forms out. Nic will help participants begin the process by filling out forms to file a court order. Participants will have an opportunity to begin to fill out the required forms, ask questions and receive support.
This workshop is for youth under the age of 18 and their parents or guardians. If you plan to attend please fill out the RSVP form. It gives us the information needed to give you the correct forms.
Queer Student Union March Meetings
Date: Tuesdays, March 4, 11 & 18
Time: 4:15-5:00
Location: Zoom
Ages: High School Aged LGBTQ+ Youth and Allies
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCyouth2025
The Diversity Center is excited to collaborate with the Santa Cruz COE to facilitate the Queer Student Union! The Youth Led Leadership Alliance is a network of 7 different leadership groups sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education working together to develop leadership skills and make an impact across their community.
The Queer Student Union helps LGBTQ+ students share and practice their leadership and advocacy skills to make a difference in the world around them. Queer Student Union members identify a 2024/2025 project to collaborate on. Students learn how to work together to create social change. Everyone has something to contribute!
Zak and Meggie provide mentorship and we can help students tap into what they love doing while learning how to apply their passions to make our community more accepting and compassionate.
Queer Student Union In-Person Meeting
Date: Saturday, March 15
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Location: Santa Cruz County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Ages: For High School Queer Youth and allies
RSVP: tinyurl.com/TDCyouth2025
Join us for our February Queer Student Union In-person meeting with the YLLA. The Youth Led Leadership Alliance (YLLA) is a network of 7 different leadership groups sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education working together to develop leadership skills and make an impact across their community.
The Queer Student Union helps LGBTQ+ students share and practice their leadership and advocacy skills to make a difference in the world around them. We will be participating in a workshop on public speaking and practicing the skills need to present towards larger audiences.
NEW! Monterey County Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council
Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, The Diversity Center, Our Gente, and QYTC
Meeting Dates: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of Each Month
Wednesday March 5th And Wednesday March 19th
Time: 4:15-5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School LGBTQ+ youth and allies
🌈 Join the Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council! 🌈
Are you an LGBTQ+ youth or ally in middle or high school who wants to make a difference in Monterey County? The Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council is a space where YOU can:
✨ Shape LGBTQ+ programs – Be the visionaries behind Rainbow Connections youth events! Help plan an event for LGBTQ+ youth in Monterey county.
✨ Build leadership skills – Develop leadership skills, share your input and ideas to help improve programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth in your community.
✨ Connect with a supportive community – Meet other LGBTQ+ youth, create a safe space where we can share resources and receive peer to peer support.
📅 Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 4:15-5:00 PM on Zoom
🚀 Kickoff Meeting: March 5th, 4:15-5:15 PM
Sign up here to receive the Zoom information.
From Our Partners
School Support
The Diversity Center offers support to Santa Cruz County schools by visiting Gender-Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) and providing educational presentations and training for students and staff.
Community Partnerships
The Diversity Center is open to working in partnership with local teens and organizations to plan fun, educational, and activist-oriented events. Please contact us!