Event Series Rainbow Group

Quartz (Ages 13-18)

The Center OC 1605 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA, United States

Quartz (formerly Rainbow Group) is a social drop-in group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and allied youth ages 13-18. Three adult mentors facilitate group activities and discussions to provide a safe and supportive environment, where youth can make lifelong connections with their peers and develop a positive sense of identity. On a monthly basis, we invite guest speakers from different community organizations to speak in order to increase the educational component of our program. Youth are able to learn about different topics, such as STI and HIV prevention, relationships and setting boundaries, consent, dating, sexual self-care, gender identity, coming out, advocacy, empowerment, student rights, bullying and harassment, drugs and alcohol, mental health and suicide prevention.

Event Series Men’s Therapy Group

Men’s Therapy Group (Ages 18+)

The goals of this group are: to create a safe, comfortable place to express feelings, exploration of self through group process and reflection, enhancing sense of self through awareness and acceptance, and to support and be supported. Ages 18 and over.

$10
Event Series Grief and Loss Support Group

Grief and Loss Support Group (Ages 55+)

The senior program is starting a grief and loss support group for anyone 55+. Grief is a normal and natural reaction when dealing with bereavement. A person can experience loss due to a passing of a loved one, a breakup, divorce or any other types of loss you may have experienced. Join us as we offer support and encourage one another to share our stories in a safe and welcoming environment.

Event Series OUTlet (Ages 18-26)

OUTlet (Ages 18-26)

The Center OC 1605 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA, United States

OUTlet is intended to create a safe space for youth to talk about mental health issues, create healthy relationships with others, and learn tools to understand, manage, and decrease symptoms of mental health. This group will teach youth how to build insight into their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and learn how to communicate their needs and wants in a healthy assertive manner. Lastly, with an emphasis on maladaptive coping skills including self-medicating with substances, isolating, or engaging in risky behaviors, youth will learn to develop coping skills needed to manage symptoms on a long-term basis. OUTlet meets hybridly (in-person & online) every Thursday at 4:30-6:30.

Youth Empowered to Act (YETA) – Elevate (Ages 14-24)

The Center OC 1605 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA, United States

The Elevate Program creates opportunities for LGBTQ youth to increase their advocacy and leadership skills. Through a trauma-informed, health-centered and asset-based approach, youth leaders will work to effect transformative and peer-led policy, systems and environmental change in Orange County. Youth leaders work to identify healthy alternatives to suspension/expulsion related to substance use. Ultimately, LGBTQ Center OC is committed to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and transforming the pipeline to restorative justice, healing and rehabilitation through their Elevate Program. Elevate Program Goals: Reframe substance abuse as a public health issue Combat the detrimental impacts from the War on Drugs on BIPOC/LGBTQ communities Provide trauma-informed counseling and process groups at no cost Raise awareness through social media campaigns, activities, and events

Event Series Cafe Con Community

Cafe Con Community (Ages 18-25)

Come join our bilingual Spanish/English group Café con Community! This group is intended to provide a safe space for Latino/a & LGBTQ+ identifying persons ages 18-25 wanting to process issues related to their Latino/a identity and how this impacts their experience in the U.S. This group aims to create a sense of community and teach insight promoting healthy coping strategies and interpersonal relationships.

Event Series South County Breaking Binaries

South County Breaking Binaries (Ages 13-18)

Shanti OC 23461 S Pointe Dr Suite 100,, Laguna Hills, CA, United States

Breaking Binaries is a social drop-in group for transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and gender-quesitoning youth ages 13-18. The purpose of this group is to create a supportive and inclusive environment in which one's gender may be freely espressed and respected. We invite youth to connect with peers and participants in engaging activities and community events.

Homecoming

The Center OC 1605 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA, United States

You are invited to join us for our 2023 Homecoming! To kick off 2023, we extend an invitation to youth, students, parents, families, and community members to join us and visit our organization, unite with community, and learn more about our Advocacy, Education, and Youth Programs at the LGBTQ Center OC. We are thrilled to share about our Youth and Young Adult programming, information our about organization, and how you can get involved in more LGBTQIA+ advocacy-related efforts across Orange County! Refreshments and light snacks will be provided. Please RSVP so we can prepare accordingly! Parking is available on the street or in our parking lot on a first come, first serve basis.