By: Monica G. Munguia, Community Engagement Program Manager

On Saturday, February 21, Inland Regional Center proudly hosted our annual Bridges to Wellness event at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert (CDMOD) in Rancho Mirage and the results were nothing short of extraordinary.

This year, we welcomed 300 participants, creating a vibrant space where families experienced both enrichment and access in one powerful, integrated event.

A Dual-Impact Experience

Bridges to Wellness was intentionally designed to provide a two-fold benefit:

1. Full Museum Access

Families enjoyed complimentary access to the museum’s interactive galleries and hands-on learning spaces. Children explored exhibits that foster creativity, problem-solving, and social engagement, while caregivers experienced a welcoming, inclusive environment where their loved ones could thrive. The museum setting provided more than recreation, it offered normalized community participation, sensory engagement, and opportunities for peer interaction in a culturally rich and family-centered space.

2. Community Resource Fair

Simultaneously, families connected directly with generic and community-based resources that support health, wellness, education, and overall quality of life.

Our resource fair brought together trusted community partners committed to serving families across the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. By bridging families to generic services  including health providers, educational supports, recreational programs, and social service organizations we strengthened pathways to sustainable, long-term support systems.

This model reflects Inland Regional Center’s commitment to:

• Promoting community integration
• Reducing service gaps
• Empowering families with knowledge
• Encouraging self-advocacy and informed decision-making

Why “Bridges to Wellness” Matters

For many families, navigating services can feel overwhelming. Bridges to Wellness intentionally removes barriers by placing recreation and resource navigation in the same accessible, family-friendly environment.

This event reinforced several key outcomes:

• Increased awareness of available generic resources
• Direct connections between families and service providers
• Reduced stigma through inclusive community participation
• Stronger partnerships between IRC and local organizations
• Expanded access to culturally responsive supports

When families leave not only with smiles from a day at the museum, but also with new contacts, information, and actionable next steps that is measurable impact.

A Community Effort

The success of Bridges to Wellness reflects the collaboration between Inland Regional Center staff, community partners, volunteers, and the dedicated museum team. Hosting this event at the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert allowed us to center learning, inclusion, and community engagement in one dynamic venue.

To every family who attended and every partner who participated: thank you for helping us build stronger bridges across our community.

We look forward to continuing this important tradition and expanding our reach in the years ahead.

Together, we build bridges. Together, we strengthen wellness.

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Community Engagement

Inland Regional Center's Community Engagement Unit can be reached at [email protected]