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February 8, 2025
Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America
Season 7, Episode 5
Airdate: February 6, 2025
Our February episode of Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America, was jam-packed with exciting segments and important information. We had not one but two impact segments that discussed how the nonprofit Neighborhood Healthcare is creating more accessible health services for Riverside County residents and how the partnership between Mt. San Jacinto College and the Southwest Riverside County Coalition is bringing more local higher education opportunities to the county. Plus, in our Spotlight, we shine a light on a Murrieta Mesa High School student who’s no stranger to performing in front of an audience – whether it’s on the football field or the dance floor. As 2025 rolled in, hundreds of new laws were implemented in California and our Need-To-Know breaks down a few to keep an eye out for. Our Community Roundtable features a discussion about youth engagement with three teens who are making a significant impact in their community. Don’t miss our Good-To-Know as we share some unique self-care tips and recognize National Library Lover’s Month by showing some love to a local little free library. DigiFest® 2025 is right around the corner and our promo has all of the important dates and information that you’ll want to keep track of.
Impact/Spotlight – Neighborhood Healthcare
With a mission to “provide quality healthcare services to all, regardless of situation and circumstance,” the nonprofit Neighborhood Healthcare
is changing the way many Riverside County residents are accessing health services.
Impact/Voice of Innovation – MSJC/ CSUSM Higher Education Partnership
In Riverside County, higher education opportunities have at times been hard to come by. However, new bachelor’s degree options are now becoming available. Diane sat down with the Superintendent and President of Mt. San Jacinto College, Dr. Roger Schultz, and Dr. Lisa DeForest, who is a Murrieta City Council Member and Southwest Riverside County Coalition for Higher Education Chair, to discuss their new partnership. If you want to get involved and help bring higher education to SW Riverside County email education@swrivco.com or go here.
Need-To-Know
The new year means hundreds of new laws in the State of California. While many don’t affect our day-to-day lives, some of these news will have a significant impact. Read more about them here and here.
Community Roundtable
Join Diane and Scott Strand at the roundtable as they welcome Joshua English, a 17-year-old who has been a Boy Scout for 12 years and has autism, and 16-year-old Zeal Marzett and 17-year-old Joey Justus, who are co-leaders of A Joyful Noise Special Needs Choir in Temecula, to discuss the importance of youth engagement.
Spotlight – Murrieta Mesa Football Player/ Dancer
Artyon Celestine is a Murrieta Mesa High School student who has accomplished a lot in his 17 years of life. From cutting a rug on the Dancing with the Stars: Juniors dance floor to racking rushing yards as a star running back, Celestine has a bright future full of opportunities ahead of him.
Good-To-Know – Neighborhood Corner
In honor of National Library Lover’s Month, SOI team member Aryn Porras highlighted a local Little Free Library and offered a few other tips on how you can access books through the Riverside County Library system.
Good-To-Know – Unique Self-Care Tips
Our SOI Team shares some outside-the-box self-care tips from Trauma Informed California
Good to Know – Black History Month
Black History Month Events in the Inland Empire
Sweet Baby J’ai presents: Harmonies in Blue
“IT IS POSSIBLE” 2025 Black History Month Webinar!
Go here for a list of Black-owned businesses that you can support not only in February but all year long:
JDS Creative Academy Spring Classes!
Spring classes have already started but it’s not too late to join in. Stop by to learn creative writing, or take our backstage production or filmmaking classes. The musical theater class has also begun rehearsals for the production of Disney’s Aladdin Junior.
DigiFest® 2025
DigiFest® 2025 is right around the corner! Don’t miss your chance to have your creative, multimedia work recognized by a panel of notable judges. Categories include video, short film, animation, photography, and more. The late submission deadline closed March 9th. Tickets, including student, general, and VIP, go on sale March 1st. Save the dates for April 25th, 26th, and 27th.
