Make an
impact today

Your donation directly funds life-saving mental health programs and spaces.

Here’s how we put your support to work:

• Peer-Led Support Programs — We host daily mental health groups, creative expression nights, journaling sessions, and open mics led by trained peers with lived experience.

• Stay Café Operations — Your support keeps our mental health café open as a safe, stigma-free space for connection, conversation, and healing.

• Training & Certification — We offer Mental Health First Aid and Peer Support trainings to empower everyday people to become anchors of safety in their communities.

• Therapeutic Art & Events — Donations cover supplies and staffing for community-building events that promote healing through creativity and dialogue.

• Original Research — We’re building local data reports to hold systems accountable and push for better school-based mental health care across San Diego.

Every dollar helps create a culture where belonging is the norm — not the exception.

Email us and we will send you the details at alyvredenburgh@gmail.com

Absolutely! We’d love to have you join us. While some events have a small fee, you’re always welcome to come hang out, grab a coffee or tea, and just be — no pressure to participate. Whether you're looking for connection, creativity, or simply a quiet moment, there’s something here for everyone.

Want the full experience? Become a member.
Members get unlimited access to all events, a free coffee or tea every day, and the satisfaction of knowing they’re helping build a culture of belonging. If you’re someone who cares about mental health, connection, and community — this is your space. 💛

The Belonging Lab’s research and advocacy is led by Aly Vredenburgh, a mental health researcher, author of Out of Focus, and national speaker on youth mental health. She holds a Master’s in Social Innovation and has presented her work at international public health conferences.

She is supported by a passionate team of youth leaders, peer support specialists, and community advocates — many of whom have personal experience with suicide loss, depression, or navigating gaps in the mental health system. Together, they’re working to collect data, elevate unheard voices, and drive meaningful policy change across San Diego County and beyond.

We believe research should serve the people — not sit on a shelf. That’s why everything we do is rooted in lived experience and aimed at building a more connected, caring world.