Meet Yolanda Medrano

We were lucky to catch up with Yolanda Medrano recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yolanda , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I found my purpose through navigating my personal trials and tribulations. Along the way, I came to realize that The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly were not random events—they were all essential chapters in the story of my life. Every moment of pain, every challenge, and every breakthrough was a stepping stone that led me to the path I walk today.

Being raised with a strong God-centered foundation, I always knew there was a greater purpose for my life, even when I couldn’t see it clearly. My faith reminded me that every experience, whether joyful or painful, was shaping me for something bigger than myself. It was through this foundation that I learned the power of resilience, compassion, and unconditional love—principles that continue to guide my work today.

When I began sharing my story with youth, I discovered something profound: vulnerability creates connection. My experiences—both the light and the dark—gave me the ability to relate to their struggles in a genuine, heartfelt way. It broke down walls, built trust, and fostered a sense of respect and understanding among the students I work with in middle schools and high schools. They saw that I wasn’t just another adult telling them how to live; I was someone who had been in the trenches of life’s toughest battles and made it through.

Our stories are powerful. They can be roadmaps, guiding others through their own storms and giving them hope that brighter days are ahead. We must always remember that Our Story Matters—not just for ourselves, but for those who may find the courage to heal, grow, and rise because we dared to share our truth. Each of us holds a unique testimony that can spark change, inspire resilience, and remind others that

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am Yolanda Medrano, a certified energy practitioner, published author of Healing The Temple Within, and the Founder and President of Healing Hearts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

My journey with holistic healing began through my own search for alternative ways to manage a seizure disorder, which I was diagnosed with at a young age of 16.
I was reminded that the hurt , guilt, anger and resentment I carried after losing my boyfriend to gang violence and being kicked out of school district due to fighting that true healing required releasing toxic and repressed emotions. Through the power of forgiveness,
As I embraced holistic practices and connected with the energy of unconditional love, the seizures became less frequent, and I experienced a renewed sense of peace and purpose. This transformation deepened my passion for understanding the profound connection between the body, energy, and emotional healing.

In 2017, I founded Healing Hearts to help others release trauma and toxic emotions through holistic modalities. I developed the Your Story Matters curriculum to empower individuals to find purpose in their life experiences by accepting, releasing, and transforming their pain. I also created Lissi’s Bench Project in memory of my niece, who lost her life to suicide five years ago due to depression.
My mission is to place a purple bench at every school, providing youth with a safe haven to share, vent, and be uplifted—a sacred space where they are reminded of their worth in God’s eyes.

My dedication to supporting youth began in 1997 at Stephens Middle School in Long Beach, CA, where I mentored at-risk teens, guiding them away from gang life through sports and dance. In 2011, my efforts were recognized with a nomination for the Women of Distinction award by the Congressional 25th District of LA County. In 2024, I was honored with a Doctorate in Philosophy of Humanities.

Today, I continue mentoring at-risk youth in Las Vegas, driven by a mission to reignite the presence of agape love—an unconditional, compassionate, and non-judgmental love that transcends fear, judgment, and division. I believe that through love, understanding, and inner healing, we can empower our youth to rise above life’s challenges and embrace their divine purpose.

Beyond my community work, I am a proud mother of three beautiful girls, a “Glamma” to two amazing grandchildren, and happily married to my best friend of 27 years. I also cherish my role as a nurturing figure to children in Harar, Ethiopia, Mexico, and Thailand. Additionally, I support 15 children in Las Vegas, ensuring they have school supplies, clothing, tutoring, and, most importantly, a constant reminder of their inherent worth.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

While faith, empathy, and compassion provided the heart of my journey, determination was the engine that kept me moving forward. There were times when doors closed and I felt like giving up, but God will always give you what you need when you put PURPOSE before business.

Advice:
Make sure your Faith is strong, Pray before everything and anything then set clear goals and break them into small steps.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

We are always looking for like minded and good hearted volunteers who want to uplift and inspire our community! If you want to feed the homeless every 1st Sunday of the month , want to go stargazing with single moms needing to be reminded that they’re not alone, or if you want to donate or sponsor a school we work with please feel free to go to our website or email
Www.HealingHeartsMovement.Org
HealingHeartsMovement@Yahoo.com

Ps.. the book that inspired me was the Bible🙏

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.HealingHeartsMovement.Org
• Instagram: HealingHeartsMovement
• Facebook: HealingHeartsMovement-NonProfit Organization
• Other: Tik tok HealingHeartsMovement