The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County: Transforming LGBTQ+ Support in the Post-COVID Era

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County underwent a significant shift, transitioning from a policy and advocacy focus to a comprehensive support system for LGBTQ+ individuals. Recognizing the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, the Center expanded programming to enhance all aspects of life for their community members, based on Dr. Swarbrick & The Eight Wellness Dimensions model. 

Dream Catch collaborated with the Center on several critical grant applications, refining and enhancing their messaging to ensure that funders and donors fully grasped the Center's extensive work. The Center's expanded services now include training and education programs for LGBTQ+ serving organizations and individual, trauma-informed counseling services facilitated through a partnership with Santa Clara University. The Center also enhanced its support groups, catering specifically to the needs of LGTBQ+ youth and seniors, and organized customized events to engage the Latinx community. 

With Dream Catch's assistance, the Center effectively conveyed its new focus, impact, and future goals. As a result, the Center solidified its position as the premier LGBTQ+ organization in the community, demonstrating its responsiveness to its clients' needs.