Rising Above Daily: Where Kids Find Hope, Healing and Horses 

At a quiet ranch in Camas, something extraordinary is happening. Young people are finding connection through horses, sports, shared meals and the steady presence of caring mentors. Rising Above Daily is a free program that helps kids aged 6-18 by providing a place of refuge, support and love. With thriving equine and basketball programs and an upcoming music program, this is a space to find connection, community and mentorship.

From Vision to Victory: How One Couple Built a Youth Ranch Based on A Big Dream

Kia and Ehren Plummer are both local teachers, beloved in their communities. Kia shared a moment that led her to dream big. When reading “Psalm 37” Kia felt a stirring in her heart – inspired by the passage’s encouragement, she turned to her husband, Ehren, with a simple but profound question: “If money were no object, what would we want to do with our lives?”

Ehren didn’t hesitate. “We should start a youth ranch,” he said. “A safe place for kids. With horses. A swimming pool. A gymnasium.”

That moment marked the beginning of what would eventually become the Christian-based organization Rising Above Daily—a mentoring ranch that offers healing and hope through horses, athletics and community. All are welcome regardless of religious belief. The couple began to write down their vision and set out on a journey that would change not just their lives, but the lives of countless young people.

The couple began searching for a property to make their dream permanent. After months of looking, they finally found an 8-acre parcel that felt just right, located in Camas. Rising Above Daily began working with youth in their own operation starting in April 2024.

The work began immediately. With the help of local community members, the land was cleared and prepared for their very first horse.

That horse was a gift and a symbol. Big Gray was donated to the ranch and lovingly renamed after Grayson Kennedy, a beloved Camas High School student and football player who tragically passed away in a car accident. Grayson had been known as a gentle soul, someone who made everyone feel welcomed and seen.

“Grayson worked summers at Royal Ridges [a Christian non-profit ministry that offers camps] and had such a powerful impact on those around him,” says Ehren. “We wanted Big Gray to carry that same presence here.” And he has.

A Dream Comes Alive

Today, Rising Above Daily is more than a dream; it’s a living, growing program. With Big Gray now joined by two additional horses and a team of mentors, the ranch is making an extraordinary impact on youth who need a safe space to be seen, heard and loved.

The ranch is welcoming to all. “There are no stipulations of which youth can access our programs here at the ranch,” said Ehren. “We just want the youth to want to be here. Whether it is the sports mentorship or equine mentorship, there is no cost.”

Their athletic training and mentorship sessions happen in the fall, winter and spring and meet on Friday nights for 90 minutes. The sessions include basketball or volleyball training, open gym and a home-cooked meal.

The equine sessions also meet weekly for 90 minutes, and sessions consist of a farm chore, horse grooming and horsemanship activities in the round pen. This often comes with a lesson such as setting boundaries or communication. Then the youth can saddle up the horse and ride.

At Rising Above Daily, healing doesn’t always look like a breakthrough moment—it often looks like a quiet smile, a lifted head or a tear finally released in safety. For the youth who spend time enjoying nature on the ranch, transformation happens in their own time, through mentorship, community and often, the gentle presence of a horse.

A Place Where Youth Feel Accepted

“The transformation that we see is why we do what we do; whether it is the youth in the athletic program overjoyed to gain new friends and be a part of a supportive environment, or the youth who finds their worth through working with a horse and a mentor,” said Kia.

“One teen came to the ranch after being hospitalized three times in the last four weeks for attempted suicide. We met her that first day and she had no affect. She was a wounded soul. By the end of the first session, there was a spark in her eye,” said Ehren. “The social worker stated that this is the first time she had seen life in her in a long time. There is something special about the connection that occurs between a child and a horse.”

“One elementary student came after a very hard week. With her dad in prison and the family struggling she came with a heavy heart. By the end of the session, she laid down on River (one of our horses) and looked at me and said, ‘I feel so happy.’ Our hope to provide a place where kids can have peace was true that day,” said Kia.

“Sometimes, words aren’t even needed. After a session, one middle-schooler turned and asked, ‘Do you know why I do so well here?’ When prompted, he answered simply, ‘Because I don’t have to talk to humans.’ Having been repeatedly let down by people in his life, the boy found comfort in the quiet understanding of a horse. No explanations. No pressure. Just peace,” said Ehren.

“These stories are just a few among many. This why Rising Above Daily exists—not just as a program, but as a place where youth can be seen, supported and slowly restored,” said Ehren.

As a parent of three boys involved in the sports program, Josh Lindauer has seen firsthand how the experience shapes lives both on and off the court.

“It’s somewhere kids can come to feel welcomed, to feel connected and to feel safe,” he says. “The minute the kids walk in the door, they’re greeted by either Ehren or Kia with a big smile as they check in for a night of fun, hard work and a meal with friends to top it off. My kids love the program and never miss a night of basketball and mentorship,” he shares.

Lindauer also volunteers with the program and speaks to the deep community connection Rising Above Daily fosters. “As a family, being involved with Rising Above Daily is best described as ‘together.’ This program has allowed me to meet some amazing people that volunteer their time on a Friday night to help today’s youth by letting them know we care, and that they always have someone to talk to.”

At Rising Above Daily, one of the most powerful messages they hope to instill in our youth is this: You are not alone.

That truth came to life during a recent evening in their athletic program. As the teens gathered for dinner after training, a 22-year old guest speaker shared his story—about battling feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, and his journey of overcoming them. When a mentor asked the group, “How many of you are struggling with anxiety or depression and want support?” something remarkable happened.

Forty hands went up. Out of 62 teens present, 40 acknowledged their silent struggle.

“In that moment, we reminded them they didn’t have to suffer in silence. That they are not alone. That there were mentors ready to listen. That healing starts with connection—and that strength is found not in hiding pain, but in confronting it, together,” said Ehren.

“We also shared something many hadn’t realized: it had taken 17 adult volunteers to make that one evening possible. When we asked the teens, ‘Why do you think so many adults showed up—for you?’ there was a quiet pause,” he said.

And then Papa Jay, a long-time supporter from Orchards United Methodist Church, stood up and answered emphatically: “Because you matter.” It was a powerful evening of healing for many kids.

The Ranch Grows – Staff and Volunteers Come On Board

As Rising Above Daily grew, it became clear that this was more than a small ranch with a big heart—it was a full-fledged nonprofit operation. Thankfully, the Plummers weren’t alone. A dedicated board of directors stepped in to help guide the mission forward.

Steve Milholen is on the board of directors and a volunteer. When asked about a special moment in his volunteer work, he shared, “Seeing the young adults that Ehren and Kia have worked with over the last 20+ years come and give back to Rising Above Daily. I see their faces light up when they make a difference for a child that may as well have been them when they were younger.”

“There are a lot of kids out there who are struggling and feel lost or not heard. Rising Above Daily is meeting these kids where they are and making a real difference,” said Milholen.

As they brought Big Gray to the ranch, the Plummers realized they needed guidance from someone with horse experience. They found Cathy Mahon, an expert horse trainer. Not only does Mahon prepare the horses for sessions, but she has also personally trained every equine mentor, ensuring that each interaction is safe, structured and impactful.

Through her guidance, kids learn more than how to halter or ride—they’re taught life-changing lessons in setting boundaries, building confidence and operating with respect. The transformation has been powerful, both in the youth and in the culture of the ranch itself.

According to Mahon, the heart of Rising Above Daily lies in its people. “I believe there is a level of commitment there that doesn’t happen very often. There is a great deal of love and a willingness to be there for the young people in their toughest times,” she said. “I believe that Kia and Ehren have the heart, soul and drive to make things work at Rising Above Daily and are already having a positive impact on the lives of everyone who joins them at the ranch.”

Volunteers quickly became the heartbeat of the ranch. Lexie Helt is a youth mentor guiding kids through equine sessions that blend grooming, riding and heartfelt connection.

For Helt, the work means more than just mentorship. The youth have influenced her life. “They’ve shown me what it means to show strength, courage and kindness in the hardest of times. Each one has taught me something different and holds a special place in my heart.”

Helt appreciates Rising Above Daily’s unique ability to provide kids with unconditional acceptance.

“Horses offer unexplainable subconscious peace and connection,” she said. “Horses are so intuitive to the emotions and intentions of those around them. They are like mirrors: they outwardly express what they sense is happening on the inside of someone else. This requires youth to self-reflect to see that how they feel and act affects others. It also allows them an opportunity to self-regulate before entering a situation and hopefully these skills will follow them into their everyday lives.”

Together, this community—made up of professionals, parents, mentors, churches and everyday helpers—is building something powerful: a safe, healing and hope-filled space where kids can rise above the noise of the world and discover who they really are.

An Invitation to Get Involved

These special moments aren’t rare at Rising Above Daily—they happen every week. But none of it happens without the community. With over 100 youth now enrolled across both equine and athletic programs, the need for support continues to grow.

“You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to be willing. Because here at Rising Above Daily, we’ve learned that the greatest impact starts with the simplest question: “What if I just showed up?” said Ehren.

Every fence post placed, every dinner served, every conversation had with a child or teen is possible because people choose to show up. Together, the community helps kids rise above—one day at a time. Visit RisingAboveDaily.org to learn more and get involved.

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