The Diversity Center Youth Program, Santa Cruz County
The youth program at TDC provides supportive, educational and social activities for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning (LGBTIQ) youth.
Check out their weekly schedule events at diversitycenter.org/youth
Questions? Email youth@diversitycenter.org
Shine Your Pride LGBTQ+ Youth Mixer Co-hosted by TDC and Big Brothers Big Sisters, Weekly on Thursdays
Join us at The Diversity Center for a LGBTQ+ Youth Weekly Mixer! Co-hosted by The Diversity Center Youth Program and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Drop in and make new friends, play tabletop games, share ideas and spark your creativity!
When: Weekly LGBTQ+ Youth Mixer on Thursdays @ 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: The Diversity Center
Questions? Contact Meggie Pina, Manager of Programs and Impact at meggie.pina@
LGBTQ+ Youth Garden Club and Crafts @ The Diversity Center (First Saturday of Each Month)
LGBTQ+ teens 11-18 are welcome to join us at The Diversity Center to connect with nature and make new friends. Help us care for our Rainbow Healing Garden in our backyard. Plant new ideas and watch them grow! Connecting with the healing power of the natural world can help us relax and tap into our imaginations. Together, we will create a healing garden space for our community. Learn about the healing properties in plants and how to take care of them.
Emiko Stewart works as a garden instructor with Life Lab teaching at Amesti Elementary School in Watsonville. Growing up in Watsonville has inspired her passion for gardening. She is excited to work and grow with the youth of Santa Cruz.
When: First Saturday of Each Month @ 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
Where: The Diversity Center
Questions? Contact Meggie Pina, Manager of Programs and Impact at meggie.pina@
Gender Diverse Youth Support Group @ The Diversity Center (First Saturday of Each Month)
We welcome all LGBTQIA+ people ages 11-18 to join this self-care skills building support group. We embrace gender diversity and strive to create a supportive community space with TDC staff and other gender expansive youth. We start off each session with introductions and a check-in question. We will get grounded with a guided meditation or jump into a group discussion based on the interests of the group each session.
When: First Saturday of Each Month @ 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Where: The Diversity Center
Questions? Contact Meggie Pina, Manager of Programs and Impact at meggie.pina@
“Our Gente” @ The Epicenter Presents: “Q-Turn” – In Person
Q-TURN is Our Gente’s LGBTQ+ specific set of drop-in hours that happen every Thursday from 12 PM to 5 PM at The Epicenter. Youth participants are welcomed into an accepting environment where they can build community with LGBTQ+ youth and their allies and develop networks of support with their peers.
When: Every Thursday @ 12pm – 5pm
Where: The Epicenter, 737 South Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901
