Rainbow Connections
Rainbow Connections is an MHSA Innovations Project led by Monterey County Behavioral Health designed to interconnect youth-serving systems with community-based organizations and provide conditions to cultivate environments of support, inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ youth across home, school and community settings.
We are thrilled to share that The Diversity Center is proudly partnering with Monterey County Behavioral Health and the Rainbow Connections collaborators, who are making meaningful strides for LGBTQ+ youth and families throughout Monterey County.
TDC’s contributions to this effort include:
Facilitating Welcoming Schools curriculum and Social Emotional Learning workshops to create inclusive, affirming school environments.
Strengthening school clubs and culture to support LGBTQ+ students and allies.
Sharing Family Acceptance Project resources to empower parents and caregivers in their journey of support.
Creating affirming youth events that celebrate authentic self-expression in safe, welcoming spaces.
We are inspired and deeply grateful to join this group of community-based organizations committed to making a lasting difference for LGBTQ+ individuals, now and into the future.
Thank you, Monterey County, for your warm welcome. We are honored to work alongside you!
Call out for Art Submissions for the Rainbow Connections Sticker and Art Gallery
Who can share their artwork: elementary, middle and high school students from Monterey and San Benito Counties.
Art Prompt: Rainbow Connections and The Diversity Center would like to showcase the creativity and power of students across Monterey County. We are inviting students to create artwork that can be displayed at the 4th Annual Rainbow Connections Student Wellness Expo Friday November 13 in Salinas! Students can design stickers, paint, draw, read poetry, sing, perform and showcase their talents. We want to see your creations come to life.
Student art could celebrate:
LGBTQ+ joy, pride, and belonging
Asking for help or checking in on a friend
Friends, chosen family, and support networks
Mental health, self-care, and emotional wellness
LGBTQ+ identities and intersectionality
Finding people and places where you can be yourself
Mantras for hope, healing, growth, and resilience
Knowing where to find support and care
Students can create a sticker-sized design or a larger piece of artwork. Digital art, drawings, illustrations, poetry, songs, and mixed media creations are all welcome. Anything is possible when we make art in community.
Sticker designs due by: 10/9/2026
Students can draw or digitally create a 2 inch round sticker design. Students can take photos of their stickers or create a digital design in our Canva sticker design template.
Digital artwork, drawings, illustrations, poetry, songs and mixed media creations due by: 11/6/2026
How student can share their artwork with Rainbow Connections
Email rainbowconnectionsmonterey@gmail.com for a link to our Canva sticker design book
Email a photo, song, poem or digital artwork to rainbowconnectionsmonterey@gmail.com
Email rainbowconnectionsmonterey@gmail.com to schedule an art pickup at your school.
Rainbow Connections Student Wellness Expo
Hosted by: Rainbow Connections, Monterey County Behavioral Health, The Diversity Center, Harmony at Home, The Epicenter, Partners for Peace and Dragonfly Forward
Date: Friday, November 13
Time: 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Location: 1 Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
Ages: Educators, Parents/Caregivers, LGBTQ+ youth + allies
RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/RCSWENOV2026
Join us for the 4th Annual Rainbow Connections Student Wellness Expo, a celebration filled with youth voices, creativity, and community. Explore how we can work together to strengthen mental health and wellness for LGBTQ+ youth across Monterey County.
This year’s Expo will center youth voices, featuring a youth panel and youth speakers sharing their experiences, ideas, and hopes. Hear directly from young people about what helps them feel supported and what they want the adults and communities around them to understand. Take a stroll through our Rainbow Connection Art Exhibit and enjoy original stickers and artwork created by local students exploring LGBTQ+ mental health, wellness, belonging, and community.
We’ll also hear from Ace, a Salinas High School senior and LGBTQ+ youth advocate, who has written and self-published The Colors of Innovation: LGBTQ+ in STEM, a book highlighting LGBTQ+ changemakers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through this project, Ace celebrates the power of representation and inspires LGBTQ+ young people to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, innovators, and leaders. Attendees will have the opportunity to receive a free copy of Ace’s book.
Meet local organizations and members of the Rainbow Connections Provider Network, learn about LGBTQ+ affirming services for youth and families and build relationships with others who care about the well-being of LGBTQ+ people. Taking place on the kickoff day of Transgender Awareness Week, the Rainbow Connections Student Wellness Expo is an opportunity to celebrate youth voices, strengthen allyship, and uplift LGBTQ+ young people. Together, we can create communities where LGBTQ+ youth know they are celebrated, seen, valued, and never alone.
We will provide light refreshments and giveaways. Help us prepare for the Rainbow Connections Student Wellness Expo by completing the RSVP form!
