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Franchesca Forrer
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Blue Zones Project Palm Springs Supports Launch of Coachella Valley Innovation Alliance to Strengthen Community Well-Being and Economic Opportunity Across the Coachella Valley
Palm Springs, CA — May 4, 2026 — Blue Zones Project Palm Springs is proud to support the launch of the Coachella Valley Innovation Alliance (CVIA), a local initiative designed to surface and celebrate the entrepreneurs, builders, and innovators doing things differently right here in the Valley — creating visible pathways to opportunity for the next generation.
The inaugural Coachella Valley Innovation Alliance event will take place in Palm Springs on Tuesday, May 26, from 4:30 to 7:00 PM, convening community members, civic leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs for an evening of conversation, learning, and meaningful engagement. The featured speaker is Mona Babauta, CEO of SunLine Transit Agency, one of the nation’s most advanced hydrogen fueling infrastructures for public transit — operating right here in the Coachella Valley. This effort is made possible in collaboration with partners across the Valley, including Greater Palm Springs Economic Development.
For Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, supporting CVIA is part of a broader commitment to building environments where well-being is not something people have to pursue on their own—but something embedded into daily life through connection, belonging, and active participation in community life. Research from Blue Zones communities shows that strong social ties, a sense of belonging, and regular engagement with one’s community are among the most consistent predictors of longevity and overall well-being.
Coachella Valley Innovation Alliance expands how people experience community—moving beyond passive participation toward deeper engagement. These gatherings create space for residents to exchange ideas, stay informed, and value the uniqueness of what is being built across the Valley. By encouraging residents to engage more deeply with their community—not just as observers, but as participants—CVIA aligns with core Blue Zones principles such as Right Tribe and Purpose, both of which are associated with longer, healthier lives.
At the same time, this approach strengthens one of the most important drivers of well-being: a sense of belonging. When people feel connected to where they live—and when they recognize and value the distinct character of their community—they are more likely to engage, contribute, and build lasting relationships.
“At Blue Zones Project Palm Springs, we see social connection as essential infrastructure for well-being—not a ‘nice to have,’ but a foundation,” said Mihai Patru, Executive Director of Blue Zones Project Palm Springs. “The CDC reports that 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. feel lonely and 1 in 4 lack social and emotional support, with serious impacts on physical and mental health. That tells us something important: if we want to improve well-being, we need to design communities where connection happens naturally. CVIA gives that connection a direction — when people see what’s being built here and who’s building it, they don’t just feel they belong. They see a path into that community.”
The May 26 event marks the beginning of a broader series of gatherings planned throughout the Coachella Valley; each designed to strengthen connection, surface local innovation, and support the kind of local opportunity that keeps people rooted in the Valley.
For more information about the event or to get involved, visit: www.cvia.ai
Event Details: https://cvia.eventbrite.com
Location: Studio 4707, Palm Springs · Free Admission, Seating Limited
May 26, 2026, 4:30-7:00 PM
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About Blue Zones in Riverside County
Blue Zones Project® is brought to Riverside County by Blue Zones and leading organizations Riverside University Health System – Public Health, Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, and Eisenhower Health. In collaboration with the County of Riverside and the Cities of Riverside, Banning, Palm Springs, and Coachella, this innovative partnership brings together private and public organizations under a shared vision to support, build, and measurably improve community well-being across the County. Blue Zones Projects have launched in Riverside, Banning, Coachella, and Palm Springs, while Mead Valley begins a policy-focused Blue Zones Activate. Over five years, local leadership and the local Blue Zones Project teams will implement the Blue Zones Life Radius® model to make healthy choices easier throughout the region through permanent and semi-permanent changes to the built environment, food environment, public policies, and social networks. www.bluezonesprojectpalmsprings.com
