The Epicenter

The Epicenter is a Salinas-based nonprofit youth center serving young people (roughly ages 16 to 24) across Monterey County, including the Monterey Peninsula. Its OUR GENTE program provides dedicated LGBTQ+ support with safe-space programming, peer connection and resources, and the organization anchors Rainbow Connections, a multi-year countywide collaborative focused on LGBTQ+ youth wellbeing. While its offices are in Salinas (about half an hour east of Monterey), the Epicenter is one of the most established LGBTQ+ service providers in the county and is regularly listed among Monterey Peninsula Pride's youth-service partners. For LGBTQ+ young people and families in the Monterey area it is a key point of contact for support beyond the region's limited nightlife.