Cecilia Lemus, YLI | Youth Leadership Inspires Air Quality Change in Coachella Valley

In this episode of Healthy Desert Healthy You, host Will Dean speaks with Cecilia Lemus, Program Coordinator at the Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), about empowering young leaders in the Eastern Coachella Valley. With support from a Desert Healthcare District grant, YLI is tackling air quality challenges through youth-driven research, storytelling, and community engagement. Cecilia shares how young people ages 14-25 are shaping conversations on environmental justice, balancing feelings of hopelessness with hope, and creating safe spaces where they can connect and lead. From surveys and storytelling to art workshops and advocacy campaigns, this episode highlights how youth voices are central to raising awareness about air pollution, building resilience, and ensuring healthier futures for their community.Takeaways:Youth Leadership Institute empowers youth ages 14–25 in Coachella Valley.Focus on environmental justice with emphasis on air quality.Youth use storytelling and policy advocacy to raise awareness.Program builds “third spaces” for safe connection and leadership.Surveys and interviews highlight feelings of hope and hopelessness.Art workshops, photography, and field trips foster resilience.Youth-produced zine and PSA launch awareness campaign on air quality.AB 617 programs include free home air purifiers for residents.#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #CeciliaLemus #YouthLeadershipInstitute #CoachellaValley #AirQualityAwareness #EnvironmentalJustice #YouthVoices #HealthyCommunities #SaltonSea #EasternCoachellaValley #CommunityHealth #YouthAdvocacy #ClimateAction #MentalHealthAndWellness #YouthLeadership #PublicHealth #AB617