In December 1992, the San Marcos community was shaken by the tragic loss of my classmate Jennifer Loscher, who died in a school bus accident. Her passing created an extraordinary outpouring of support and reflection across the city. Out of that shared grief came a collective desire to build something better together.

In 1993, San Marcos launched Imagine San Marcos, a community-wide effort to envision the city’s future. Unlike many planning initiatives, this process intentionally included both adults and youth, recognizing that young people needed not just a voice, but a seat at the table.

In 1994, Enrique Perez was elected to serve a two-year term on the San Marcos Youth Commission, becoming deeply involved in community events and civic engagement through the City’s Community Services Department.

By 1996, it became clear that the Imagine San Marcos plan, while visionary…had largely stalled. Seeing this firsthand, Enrique joined the Community Services staff to help support community events and re-ignite action.

In 1998, Enrique joined the San Marcos Healthcare Advisory Council, a partnership between the City of San Marcos and Palomar Pomerado Health, serving as a student and community liaison. The needs assessment conducted echoed many of the same gaps identified years earlier in Imagine San Marcos, particularly around youth support, access, and prevention.

In 1999, a subcommittee formed with a bold idea: empower youth to lead their own version of Imagine San Marcos, one focused on action, not just planning.

In 2000, the group was awarded a grant through California Healthy Cities and Communities, funded by The California Endowment, officially launching the work.  That same year, Panorama hired its first staff member, Lauren Burton, to help bring the vision to life in addition to Enrique.

In 2001, the Student Youth Governance Council was formed, creating a structured way for young people to identify community needs and drive solutions. That July, Panorama secured its first permanent home, a turning point that allowed programs to fully take root. Later that year, more than 280 community members gathered at the San Marcos Joslyn Senior Center for a large envisioning event, affirming broad community ownership of the Center’s mission.

By 2002, formal programs were established at 131 Richmar Avenue, transforming the space into a true community hub. Offerings included:

• Music and dance classes
• Spoken word and arts events
• Homework assistance and academic support
• Tax preparation and renter assistance
• Intergenerational programming
• Healthy lifestyle education (nutrition, STD prevention, and community resources)
• Early diversion support for first-time offenders and at-risk youth
• Community concerts that became a cornerstone of engagement
• Local Business Leader Presentations and Inspiration

In 2003: Panorama helped lead the first-ever San Marcos Volunteer Improvement & Beautification Event, uplifting the Richmar neighborhood and reinforcing community pride.

In 2004: 

• Panorama was featured as a case study of student success in a California Endowment report
• CALSOAP (California Student Opportunity and Access Program) was established at the Center to help; get more kids to college and educate parents how to get there in the neighborhood vs always looking at school resources.

In 2005: Panorama became a site for adult education, supporting Mexican nationals seeking educational certificates from their home country, many with aspirations to attend Palomar College. That same year, U.S. citizenship test preparation classes were launched.

In 2006: the Center opened its doors on weekends to host AA and NA support groups, expanding its role as a trusted recovery and support space.

During this period, Panorama thrived:

• 60–80 youth per day attended after-school programs
• 20–40 adults per week participated in morning computer and support classes

The Center became known not just as a building, but as a place where people felt seen, supported, and connected.

In 2017, the San Marcos Senior Center Foundation moved into the Center, supporting:

• 211 assistance calls for seniors
• The “Are You OK” initiative, in partnership with the San Marcos Sheriff’s Department

In 2018, Panorama faced financial hardships. As the San Marcos Boys & Girls Club expanded youth and teen services, Panorama made the difficult decision to scale back after-school programming while continuing to support unmet adult and community needs.

When COVID-19 halted in-person programming in 2020, Panorama adapted quickly. Adult support programs, especially for substance abuse recovery and seniors continued, recognizing that isolation increased vulnerability.

In 2021, Empower Me Up joined the Center, providing parenting and family support services.

In 2022, CCAE Theatricals (now Mosaic Theatricals)  found a home at Panorama, supporting community theater and creative expression. Their teachers and counseolors trained in the spaces and held workshops there. 

• 2023 Major water leak over Christmas vacation flooded the center and caused $60,000 in damages that center had to pay for.  Caused tremendous financial strain.
• San Diego County awarded funding through the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program to support facility repairs, ensuring continued service to the community

In 2025, the City of San Marcos asked Panorama to relocate to a corporate office building to accommodate renovations to nearby city facilities.

Now, in 2026, Panorama stands at a new crossroads—re-envisioning what the next 25 years can look like, grounded in youth voice, community care, and the belief that lasting change happens when people are given space, trust, and opportunity.