• Resilience is Strength and Endurance

    R.I.S.E. Northwest:

    Resilience is Strength and Endurance
    A space for grieving and healing

  • When a child loses a parent, it can have a profound impact on their life.

  • The death of a parent is one of the most traumatic events that can occur in childhood.

  • Unlike adults, children often don’t have the life experiences to cope with grief.

  • One out of every 20 children age 15 and younger will suffer the loss of one or both parents.

About us

R.I.S.E. Northwest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in August 2021, in order to support grieving children in the Inland Northwest.

Resources and services for children who have lost one or both parents are virtually non-existent in our area.

We want to change that.

Our Mission

As a nonprofit organization, we pledge to provide free services through mentoring and peer groups that will allow children to navigate life with resilience and strength after experiencing the death of a parent.

Meet the Team

  • Portrait of Craig Shaber, President, in black and white.

    Craig Shaber

    President

  • Portrait of Jay Filer, Vice President, in black and white

    Jay Filer

    Vice President

  • Black and White Portrait of Sheleis Mather, Secretary.

    Sheleis Mather

    Secretary

  • Portrait of Kathy Plowman, Treasurer, in black and white.

    Kathy Plowman, SHRM-CP

    Treasurer

  • Portrait of Tracy Gyllenhammer, Founder, in black and white.

    Tracy Gyllenhammer

    Founder | Board Member |
    Executive Director

  • Portrait of Alex Hayes, Board Member, in black and white.

    Alex Hayes

    Board Member

  • Black and white portrait of Valerie Shayman Southerland, Senior Director of Program Strategy.

    Valerie Shayman Southerland, PhD

    Senior Director of Program Strategy

  • Black-and-white portrait of Child Life Specialist Karly Monteith, MA.

    Karly Monteith, MA

    Director of Program Development

  • Black and white portrait of Eva Zapata, Community Engagement & Program Coordinator.

    Eva Zapata

    Community Engagement &
    Program Coordinator

  • Black and white portrait of Cierra Sorrell-Young, MS, Administrative Manager.

    Sierra Sorrell-Young, MS

    Administrative Manager

  • Black and white portrait of Kelsey Machtolf, Benefit Manager.

    Kelsey Machtolf

    Benefit Manager

  • Portrait of Daphne Kirkpatrick, Web Designer, in black and white.

    Daphne Kirkpatrick, MS, MBA

    Web Designer

We are grateful to our Community Partners & Sponsors: