Building a Haven for All in North County

When Max Disposti emigrated to the U.S. from Italy, he landed in North County — and noticed a glaring gap in support for the LGBTQ+ community. Driven by his lifelong commitment to equity and human rights, Max decided to act. He launched the North County LGBTQ Resource Center — a beacon of resilience, belonging, and empowerment for LGBTQ+ youth and adults. What began as a response to unmet needs has grown into a vital hub for connection and support, transforming a region once lacking in resources into a space of inclusion and possibility for all.

The North County LGBTQ Resource Center was recently awarded a grant as part of a $6 million initiative supporting 23 local organizations that focus on the mental and emotional well-being of youth and young adults in San Diego County. This commitment emphasizes preventive care strategies such as garden therapy, summer camps, open mic nights, and clinical therapy to build a stronger foundation for the future. The funded organizations address the needs of diverse groups across 600 square miles, including youth caregivers, Native communities, rural students, children of active-duty military families, refugees, first-generation college students, and unhoused individuals.

Since opening its doors in 2008, the center has grown far beyond its original scope. While Max’s initial goal was to create a welcoming space where young LGBTQ+ people could find community and acceptance, he quickly saw that the community needed much more. Following a series of youth suicides in the local school district, Max and his team expanded their vision to include comprehensive mental and behavioral health services, along with support for issues like substance abuse, trauma recovery, and housing stability.

The center’s focus on mental health has been especially important for LGBTQ+ youth, who are at a high risk of experiencing isolation, family rejection, and homelessness. Nearly 40% of unhoused youth aged 14 – 24 identify as LGBTQ+, many of whom left home after being forced to come out. ​“Disclosing your identity before you’re ready can be devastating,” Max explains. ​“It can lead to homelessness, depression, and even self-harm. We want to be a place where young people can find supportive connections.”

To address these challenges, the center’s mental health program provides free therapy from LGBTQ+ counselors, adding a level of understanding and trust that clients can’t always find elsewhere. Each week, the center serves between 80 and 100 people, creating an environment for deep, long-term therapeutic work that isn’t limited by restrictive conditions or short timelines. The grant from the Prebys Foundation will allow the center to expand its mental health offerings and make its services even more sustainable. ​“No one who walks through our doors has to pay,” Max says. ​“But we’re working to capture insurance support where possible so that we can continue growing without being entirely dependent on grants.”

The center is also a hub for celebrations, including the annual Pride by the Beach festival in Oceanside, which Max and his team launched years ago to celebrate North County’s LGBTQ+ community. This vibrant event has grown significantly, drawing more than 20,000 attendees from across the region.

Max and his team make a point to be out in the community whenever possible, attending health fairs, visiting community colleges, and going directly to where people are. ​“If we’re not there to offer support, someone else will be — whether it’s a trafficker or someone with bad intentions,” Max says. ​“We go where people need us, so they have a better option.”

Over time, the Center has grown to serve people not only from North County, but from as far as Temecula to access services. Max is quick to point out that the center’s services are available to everyone, not only LGBTQ+ individuals. ​“We want people to know this space is for the whole community,” he says. ​“Yes, it’s run by LGBTQ+ people, but everyone is welcome here. We’re here to foster understanding, compassion, and a sense of belonging.”

Recently, the center launched a capital campaign to raise $1 million to secure a new space as a lasting community hub. Currently, they’re about $400,000 short of their goal. ​“This building will allow us to offer even more resources and services,” Max explains. ​“This space will really make a difference in a lot of people’s lives.”

With plans for expansion and a capital campaign well underway, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center is poised to serve its community for years to come. But, as Max says, ​“We’re not just building a center. We’re building a more inclusive future for everyone.”