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Advancing Community wellness in the Coachella Valley

Healthy Desert Healthy You Summit to Honor Community Champions Debbie Espinosa & Coachella Valley Housing Coalition

Two images merge together include a head shot of Debbie Espinosa on the left and a headshot of Pedro S.G. Rodriguez on the right.
August 26, 2026 - District Staff

Attendees at the Healthy Desert Healthy You Summit on Sept. 10 will have an opportunity to help recognize and congratulate two outstanding community advocates during an inaugural awards presentation.

Both an individual champion and inspiring organization will be honored at the third annual summit, presented by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation at The Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage.


This year's summit focuses on four social determinants of health: healthcare access, behavioral/mental health, healthcare workforce development, and housing. The selected honorees excel in addressing key social determinants of health, such as food assistance and housing, to elevate the wellness of Coachella Valley residents.


The event's first-ever Community Health Impact Award goes to the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. The coalition has become one of the region’s leading nonprofit housing developers during the past 40 years. It has built more than 2,200 houses under the Mutual Self Help Program and over 3,050 affordable housing rental units to serve working families and individuals, retired and migrant farmworkers, individuals with special needs, homeless veterans, and seniors in Riverside and Imperial counties.


In addition, the Coalition provides a variety of programs and services that support residents' educational advancement, health, and cultural enrichment. The opportunities include resource fairs, scholarships, after-school programs and more. The organization is currently led by Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Pedro S. G. Rodriguez (pictured, right). Learn more.


The recipient of the Health Equity Visionary Award is Debbie Espinosa who is being recognized for eight years of leadership as president and Chief Executive Officer of the FIND Regional Food Bank. The organization helps feed about 120,000 people each month, driven by a commitment to deliver free and non-perishable food to residents and many community agency partners.


FIND provides 75 to 100 percent of the food supply for 90 percent of the community's soup kitchens, pantries, religious organizations and other nonprofit facilities. The food bank also engages in mobile outreach, which consists of 30 additional distribution sites. Learn more.


Ms. Espinosa (pictured, left) has more than 30 years of experience as a nonprofit leader, including as the compliance and capacity development manager for 37 food banks in the Southwestern United States at the national office of Feeding America. She delves into the state of food assistance locally, in this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast.


"We are fortunate in the Coachella Valley to have a robust community of nonprofit organizations," said Donna Craig, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Chief Program Officer and Interim CEO. "Over the years, the Healthcare District has collaborated with and supported dozens of partners that are a vital part of our valley's healthcare infrastructure. At this year's summit we are introducing two awards as another way to express our appreciation for the exceptional services and programs these organizations and individuals provide for our residents."