The Diversity Center’s Senior & Older Adult Program offers LGBTQ+ folx opportunities to enhance their quality of life through social and recreational activities. Our menu consists of senior luncheons, men’s socials, women’s socials, and weekly Wisdom Workshops! We offer these gatherings for people to connect with others and learn about community resources.
Wisdom Workshops
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 10 am - 12:00 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Join your community every Tuesday between 10 am - 12 pm at The Diversity Center. Nic is ready with a different activity or workshop each week, and senior volunteers are on hand with snacks, beverages, and community.
Wisdom Workshop: LGBTQ+ Writing Workshop with Jesse of Write Queer
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 pm
Location: The Diversity Center
Write or recite from your heart! Jesse will lead us through a supportive and creative writing group. You'll be given prompts to create your own poems and stories, and the chance to share your work with others. This session's theme is pets and animal companions. Writers of all levels welcome! (Starts at 10:30)
Rainbow Strollers
Date: Every Tuesday
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
Location: Changes regularly, contact Rich Berger for information
Join us for a 60-Plus walking group! The group's goal is to provide a fun, rewarding, non-judgmental experience for walkers with a focus on appropriate exercise, interaction, companionship, and enjoyment of nature. Each week, the group will decide where they want to walk. The walks will be no longer than 2 miles, with breaks. Text or call Rich at 831-322-9827 to get added to the Whats App and see where the group is meeting.
*You will be asked to sign a waiver before you walk with this group.
Walk it OUT Wednesday in Watsonville!
Date: Wednesday, March 19
Time: 12:00-2:00 pm
Lunch 12:00 pm -12:45 pm
Neighborhood walk 1:00 pm -1:45 pm
Location: Watsonville Senior Center 114 E 5th St, Watsonville, CA 95076
Ages: LGBTQ+ Seniors and allies, must be a Member of the Watsonville Senior Center
The Diversity Center invites LGBTQ+ Seniors and allies to Walk it OUT Wednesdays, a Quarterly Walking Group at the Watsonville Senior Center. The Diversity Center will provide free lunch from Erik's DeliCafé to participants who create an account with the City of Watsonville and RSVP. Lunch includes items such as a sandwich, chips and seltzer water.
The first time attending participants are asked to complete The Diversity Center Community Connection Survey and sign a waiver. We start our walk at approximately 1:00 pm. We will walk around the neighborhood of the senior center and return to the senior center at approximately 2:00 pm. Our intention is to support community building with LGBTQ+ seniors and allies in Watsonville. We look forward to sharing well-being resources and engaging in physical exercise. Walkers are welcome to bring a water bottle, hat and any other items needed to walk comfortably. This walking group meets rain or shine and we will pivot to indoor activities if needed.
Participants must RSVP to receive a free lunch. When you RSVP you’ll be able share your lunch preferences via this RSVP form or by calling 831-768-3279.
April Showers Bring May Flowers Luncheon & Plant Exchange
Date: Saturday, April 12
Time: 12:30-3:00 pm
Location: Trinity Presbyterian, 420 Melrose Ave., Santa Cruz
Ages: Older LGBTQ+ Adults
Join us for a luncheon to celebrate that spring is here! We made it through a dark and challenging winter, and we are still here (and queer)! Enjoy live entertainment from the Fun Institute and garden fresh catered food from Dusty. You may also bring plants to exchange with each other to help your garden grow this spring! Please make sure to RSVP by April 7 by emailing 60plus@diversitycenter.org with your full name and preference for vegan, vegetarian, or meat options.
Retro Rainbow: A Dance Party for LGBTQ+ and Allied Older Adults
Date: Saturday, May 3
Time: 5:00-8:00 pm
Location: London Nelson Community Center
Ages: Older Adults
RSVP: tinyurl.com/RetroRainbowProm
Join us for a night of glitter and glam. Experience the queer prom you should have had and come as you are. No date required. Enjoy dancing, entertainment, and refreshments with your LGBTQ+ community. Allies welcome. Questions? Contact Nic.Laflin@diversitycenter.org for more information.
Men’s and Women’s Socials
Date: Every other month, beginning in February
The men’s and women’s socials meet every other month starting in February, either at someone’s home, for an outing, or at The Diversity Center. The socials are usually for two hours in the afternoon, though the time can vary. If you’re interested in hosting a women’s social at your location or at the Center, please e-mail 60plus@diversitycenter.org. Check our Community Calendar for more information.
Luncheon Socials
Date: Quarterly, four times per year
Our older adult luncheon socials occur in January, April, September, and November. Luncheons feature food, beverages, entertainment, and engaging education on a relevant topic. For more information about our next luncheon, check our Community Calendar or e-mail 60plus@diversitycenter.org. We are always looking for volunteers to help serve food, set up tables, provide entertainment, and clean up. To volunteer, please contact volunteers@diversitycenter.org.
To see our Support Group offerings, click here.
More Events and Additional Information
Walk it OUT Wednesdays
Walk it OUT Wednesdays meets quarterly at the Watsonville Senior Center, and includes a free lunch. For more information, contact Meggie Pina at meggie.pina@diversitycenter.org or check our community calendar.
NOTE: You will be asked to sign a waiver before you walk with either group. Walking is physical exercise and can cause injury, strain, falls, dehydration, heat stroke, and exhaustion. By attending, you acknowledge that you are physically prepared to go on a walk and assume all responsibility for your health and safety. You are encouraged to check with your doctor that a walking group is right for you. If someone becomes injured on the walk and cannot move, 911 will be called.
The Senior Committee
The Senior Committee meets for one hour every two months to discuss programming needs for the Senior Program. The Senior Committee meets in August, October, December, February, and April. We are looking for senior volunteers who can attend our meetings, provide feedback on programs, and help plan senior events. Let’s grow our community together! Email volunteers@diversitycenter.org for more information.
If you have any questions
If you have questions about our programs, please e-mail 60plus@diversitycenter.org, or leave a message at 831-425-5422. Check our Community Calendar for current drop in hours and information about upcoming events. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact volunteers@diversitycenter.org.