Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County

Since 1995, Rainbow Community Center has offered support and social opportunities to the LGBTQI+ community and its allies. Rainbow offers a broad spectrum of programsthere is a youth program, a senior program, health and wellness services, and support and social groups. Rainbow also provides training and outreach to the larger community to increase awareness and understanding of the LGBTQI+ community. Rainbow is a safe space for people to truly be themselves and to thrive.Previous to moving most of our services and programming virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on any given day, Rainbow was providing in person counseling services on- and offsite at schools, running a busy youth program, offering senior services including a luncheon, providing health and wellness services, facilitating various support groups, leading social activities, conducting HIV testing, facilitating equity training, running a fully stocked food pantry, and offering services to some of our communitys most vulnerable populations. Since March 2020, Rainbow has pivoted to continue to offer all these services meaningfully and intentionally while devising new and adjusted offerings virtually, and some services safely distanced in person, to reach our community where they are at and what they may be managing in this exceptional time.

Senior Services Rainbows senior program provides a safe space for LGBTQI+ seniors to gather, socialize, and create a supportive community. LGBTQI+ seniors are more likely than their straight peers to be isolated, so we aim to increase support, help address internalized homophobia and shame, and ensure seniors have access to a supportive network of peers. Activities include senior lunches, social groups, youth/senior events, and social outings.

Youth Programs Fostering a positive self-identity for all LGBTQI+ youth and young adults ages 11-25, Rainbow offers structured programs, youth mentoring, social activities, and virtual drop-in youth spaces. Our youth programs help address internalized homophobia, promote resilience, and help youth decide when and how to more safely and bravely disclose their gender identities and sexual orientation. Our youth program has proudly offered a variety of activities, including game nights, movie nights, hot topics discussions, quarterly youth dances, field trips, and more. Additionally, Rainbow continues to provide a support group for parents/guardians of Transgender/Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) children ages 11 and younger, while the TGNC children participate in a concurrent activity-based social group, all virtually.