On February 10, 2023, the Espinoza family’s world changed forever.

Their son, Enrique “Ricky” Espinoza, an 18 year old student at Oregon State University with a bright future ahead of him, was driving home after completing a math mid-term when his life was tragically taken in a head-on collision caused by an impaired driver. In an instant, a young man filled with potential, kindness, and dreams for the future was gone.

Like so many families facing the sudden loss of a child, Ricky’s family was left in a state of profound shock and grief. In the hours and days that followed, they were forced to navigate something no parent is ever prepared for—the immediate and overwhelming responsibility of arranging a funeral for a child who was supposed to have an entire lifetime ahead of him.

During this time of unimaginable pain, the family encountered another unexpected reality: the systems meant to support grieving families often move slowly, are difficult to navigate, and require time and energy that families in crisis simply do not have.

In the midst of that chaos and grief, one person stepped forward—a close family friend who worked in event planning. With compassion, urgency, and care, she helped the family organize the services needed to honor Ricky’s life. Her support became a lifeline during a time when the family felt lost and alone.

That experience revealed something deeply important: no family should have to navigate the sudden loss of a child without immediate help.

From that realization, Little Piggy and Me was born.

The organization was created so that when tragedy strikes, families do not have to face the logistical, financial, and emotional burdens alone. Little Piggy and Me exists to provide rapid crisis intervention, help coordinate and fund urgent funeral needs, and connect families with trusted grief counseling and emergency psychological support during the most fragile moments of their lives.

Ricky’s life continues to inspire the mission of this organization. Through the compassion of donors, partners, and volunteers, his legacy now lives on by ensuring that families facing the unthinkable receive the support they deserve—immediately, compassionately, and without barriers.

Because even in the darkest moments, no family should have to pick up the pieces alone.

Little Piggy and Me is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. At Little Piggy and Me, we exist to support families facing one of life’s most devastating tragedies—the loss of a child. In the moments following such an unimaginable loss, families are often overwhelmed with grief, confusion, and urgent decisions. Our mission is to ensure that no family has to face those first critical hours and days alone.

Little Piggy and Me provides immediate crisis intervention and compassionate support to families navigating the sudden loss of a child. Through our network of trained advocates, community partners, and emergency psychological professionals, we help families stabilize during the most difficult moments while connecting them to the resources they need to begin the grieving process.

Our organization focuses on addressing the urgent practical and emotional needs that arise in the immediate aftermath of a loss. We help families coordinate and fund essential funeral arrangements, connect them with trusted grief counseling and trauma-informed support services, and partner with emergency psychological care providers to ensure families receive compassionate, professional care during crisis situations.

We believe that grief should never be compounded by isolation or financial hardship. By mobilizing resources quickly and coordinating support services, we aim to relieve families of logistical burdens so they can focus on what matters most—honoring their child and beginning the journey toward healing.

At Little Piggy and Me, every family we serve is treated with dignity, compassion, and unwavering support. Our work is guided by the belief that even in the darkest moments, no family should have to walk through grief alone.