“All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. “
-Harvey Milk
In 1999, a group of individuals came together through the Cantú Center at UCSC to create a supportive program for LGBTQ youth and allies. At one of the first meetings, the group brainstormed on a name. One of the youth raised her hand and said that her roommate always asked if she was going to “that strange group.” They embraced the name and capitalized the title. In 2001 Encompass Community Services adopted STRANGE as one of their programs. Encompass Community Services and the Diversity Center came together in 2007 and began a partnership to run the program together.
Saturdays from 1:00pm-3:30pm
The Diversity Center
1117 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz
The STRANGE Project is comprised of youth leaders, known as the STRANGE Crew, who have come together to support peers by designing and implementing events and creating an online presence, known as our webzine. All youth ages 11-18 are welcome to visit our meetings and become part of the crew.
STRANGE offers support to Santa Cruz Middle School and High School Gay Straight Alliances (sometimes known as Queer Straight Alliances or Rainbow Alliances). Our trained staff can support with a variety of functions. We aspire to visit all GSAs at least once a month and check-in to see how we may support the efforts.
• Implementing a GSA • GSA Structure and Purpose • Assistant Advisor • LGBTQ Trainings • Creating Supportive Events • School Staff Trainings • Referrals …and more
Mondays from 4:00pm-5:30pm
Encompass – Youth Services
271 Water Street, Santa Cruz
No Appointment Necessary
STRANGE offers a weekly LGBTQ and allies support group with Vic Campbell, MFT. Vic uses an empowerment and strength-based approach to help youth ages 11-18 understand and value their identities.
For more information, please contact STRANGE @ 831-325-0656 or email strange@encompasscs.org or strange@diversitycenter.org.