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.
Rainbow Connections Youth Empowerment Council
Date: First and Third Thursday of Each Month, Dec. 4 and Dec. 18
Time: 4:15 - 5:00 pm
Location: Zoom
Ages: Monterey and San Benito County Middle and High School Youth
RSVP: tinyurl.com/montereyrcyec
🌈 Join the 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
Queer Student Union on Zoom
Date: Weekly Zoom meetings every Tuesday
Time/location: 4:00 - 5:00 pm on Zoom
Ages: High School students in Santa Cruz County
RSVP: tinyurl.com/QSUYLLA
Queer Student Union (QSU) is a space for LGBTQ+ high school students across Santa Cruz County to connect, create, and lead. Whether you’re passionate about advocacy, curious about exploring Queer liberation, or just want to find community, QSU is where you can make your voice heard and your ideas come to life.
Through student-led projects and events, you’ll get to:
✨ Build leadership and organizing skills
✨ Work on projects that make real change in your school and community
✨ Grow your network of Queer friends and allies
✨ Be part of shaping the future of LGBTQ+ spaces in Santa Cruz
Rainbow Kids Circle Resumes in January
Date: Saturday January 3rd, and every first Saturday
Ages: Youth 5-11 and their families
For details and to RSVP, contact rainbowkidscircle@gmail.com.
Rainbow Kids Circle is a monthly 90-minute playgroup for gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies elementary school age 5-11 and their families facilitated by Sara. Rainbow Kids Circle meets on the first Saturday of each month. Kids must be accompanied by an adult family member. Siblings ages 10 and under are welcome to attend. Families and kids will have a chance to do arts and crafts, read a story, enjoy a snack, and engage in free play with other gender diverse, LGBTQ+ kids and allies.
School Support + Community Partnership
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.
We are open to working in partnership with local teens and organizations to plan fun, educational, and activist-oriented events. Please contact us!
