Our founding story

Our founder, Sarah Lopez-Madrigal, a former elementary teacher who grew up in the Centennial neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, knocked on doors offering academic help to kids in a parking lot. Within weeks, the degree of loneliness, depression and anxiety became evident. She pivoted to a simple goal of lowering stress levels and bringing joy back into the children's lives. Many joined the effort and it was the beginning of a movement that's filling an essential need for children today. We Belong PDX began with painting and playing games in a parking lot and has grown into a program that is satiating the hunger for healthy community for children across multiple neighborhoods.