The Difference for a Single Father & His Two Boys

Isolation weighed heavily on 9-year-old Mia. Her mother, Lyla, sought a community of connection, however, the relentless demands of work and limited options heightened the challenge. From boxing to park visits to soccer, they explored a myriad of options. Yet, the fleeting nature of these activities and the distant drives to Clackamas, the closest area where scholarships could be found, left them disheartened. Lyla carried the weight of an extraordinary pressure, wanting to provide her daughter with the social community she craved in a space of safety, yet feeling as if they had exhausted all possibilities.

Amidst the search, welcomed reprieve came through Mia’s participation in a summer program. We Belong PDX: Hope Center Site was serendipitously partnered with Mia’s school to offer a special three week summer of fun program. Mia had a blast. When her mom learned about our year-round program, she leaped at the opportunity to get her registered. It seemed that this was the very community Mia and Lyla were in search of. Embraced by the overwhelming kindness of the staff and volunteers, Lyla was confident this was a community she could trust. 

Since joining the We Belong PDX community, Mia and Lyla’s lives have been profoundly changed. Mia's blossoming confidence is nothing short of awe-inspiring. There’s been a visible improvement in her self-image, beautifully intertwined within her Latin heritage. Beyond this, her courage to step out of her comfort zone when she sees a need has stunned her family. And to her mothers further amazement, Mia's academic performance has soared to new heights since joining the community. 

We Belong PDX has become more than a program; it has emerged as a lifeline in Mia's life. Guided by the Program Coordinator at the Hope Center site, Mia has found a mentor she reveres and respects deeply. Enveloped by the warmth of Group Mentor volunteers, Mia has shared her newfound aspirations to follow in their footsteps and give back to her community as a mentor, when she grows up. 

In the words of Mia's mother, "Your program isn't just a place to learn a skill; it's a way of life. As parents, our reach is limited, and you've quenched that essential need."