RISE Northwest

RISE Northwest R.I.S.E. Northwest is a nonprofit organization that aims to help grieving children. Northwest was born of a personal tragedy.

In 2004, Tracy Gyllenhammer's life turned into a spouse's worst nightmare. Without warning, she became a widow and a single mother. She was emotionally devastated: she had lost her husband; her two sons had lost their beloved father overnight. With great difficulty, yet with determination, the family began to grieve and heal. A few years later, Tracy connected with her sons' basketball coach, Joe;

he had also lost his wife and was raising his three young boys alone. Tracy and Joe's love for their children, their faith, and their passion for basketball brought together two broken families and they became a blended family of seven. Their union began a new chapter for the entire family. And yet, the children continued to grieve the loss of their parents as they navigated adolescence and adulthood and reached significant life milestones. Tracy felt the pain and grief of her sons deeply, and she decided that no child should ever have to walk this path alone. Northwest was born in August 2021, out of her commitment to equip grieving children with life skills and support. Thank you for joining us on this journey.

1. I still think about the person who died, even if I don’t talk about them every day.2. Sometimes I need to talk about ...
06/09/2026

1. I still think about the person who died, even if I don’t talk about them every day.

2. Sometimes I need to talk about my feelings. Sometimes I just need someone to sit with me.

3. Big feelings can show up as anger, frustration, or silence—not just tears.

4. I don’t want people to forget the person I lost. Hearing their name can be comforting.

5. I don’t need you to have all the answers. I just need to know you’re here.

Children experience grief differently than adults, and their needs can change from day to day. One of the greatest gifts we can offer is patience, presence, and a safe space to feel.

At RISE Northwest, we believe every child deserves support, understanding, and connection as they navigate their grief journey.

Which of these surprised you most?

Summer can bring changes in routine, more free time, and reminders of loved ones who are missed. For grieving children a...
05/27/2026

Summer can bring changes in routine, more free time, and reminders of loved ones who are missed. For grieving children and teens, these transitions can sometimes feel especially heavy.

One helpful way to support children during the summer months is to maintain small routines and create intentional moments of connection. Simple activities like evening walks, journaling, art projects, or sharing favorite memories can provide comfort and emotional stability.

Grief doesn’t take a summer break and neither does the need for support, patience, and understanding. 💚






✨ Another meaningful year of Team RISE has come to a close. ✨This year, Rise Northwest proudly served 50 children and th...
05/21/2026

✨ Another meaningful year of Team RISE has come to a close. ✨

This year, Rise Northwest proudly served 50 children and their families through two sessions of Team RISE: a 16-week program focused on helping children process grief, express emotions, build resilience, develop coping skills, and find connection through peer support.

The impact of this year’s programming was reflected in feedback from caregivers, youth participants, and volunteer mentors:

💚 100% of caregivers reported that RISE programming had a positive impact on their child’s wellbeing.
💚 100% shared that their child felt safe, supported, and understood during programming.
💚 Children described RISE as a place that “helps you with your feelings” and “gives you a happy place.”

One participant shared:
“My first day at RISE I felt nervous, now I feel happy.”

This work would not be possible without our incredible volunteers. This year, 19 returning volunteers and 5 new volunteers helped create compassionate spaces where children could feel seen, supported, and not alone.

As we pause programming for the summer months, our team will be reflecting, planning, and preparing for an exciting new season ahead. We are energized by the feedback received and look forward to strengthening and expanding programming for the future.

Thank you to our families, volunteers, donors, and community supporters for walking alongside us in this important work.

🌿 We look forward to welcoming families back as we begin our 2026–2027 programming year in September.








When we talk about mental health, grief must be part of the conversation.Children and teens who experience loss may stru...
05/15/2026

When we talk about mental health, grief must be part of the conversation.

Children and teens who experience loss may struggle with anxiety, sadness, difficulty concentrating, emotional withdrawal, or changes in behavior. Grief impacts emotional wellbeing in ways that are often unseen.

Supportive spaces, trusted adults, and healthy emotional expression can make a meaningful difference in the healing process.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminding families and communities that grief support is mental health support. 💚






A practical guide with short reflections and activities designed specifically for teens.Helpful for: processing emotions...
05/06/2026

A practical guide with short reflections and activities designed specifically for teens.

Helpful for: processing emotions, feeling understood, and finding small steps forward.

Instead of: “Don’t cry”Try: “It’s okay to feel this way.”Validation helps children: Feel safe, express emotions, and bui...
05/04/2026

Instead of: “Don’t cry”

Try: “It’s okay to feel this way.”

Validation helps children: Feel safe, express emotions, and build emotional awareness

Play is one of the primary ways children process emotions.You may notice: Repetitive play, storytelling themes, and acti...
05/02/2026

Play is one of the primary ways children process emotions.

You may notice: Repetitive play, storytelling themes, and acting out experiences.

This isn’t avoidance; it’s processing.

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P. O. Box 403
Colbert, WA
99005

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