OUR STORY
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
As a young child, Melanie’s world was shattered when her father abandoned her family. At the time, Melanie’s mother recognized that her daughter's passion for horses could be a way to help heal her broken heart. She bought Melanie her first horse when she was eleven years old. That horse and its surroundings helped Melanie deal with a difficult childhood.
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As a young adult, when Melanie experienced the unexpected loss of her mother, horses once again helped her cope. During this process, Melanie recognized a call on her life -- to develop a place where children facing challenges and shattered lives could experience help in the presence of horses. SonRise is the product of that call, a special place where children find a loving and accepting community.
SonRise opened its doors at Charles Wilhelm's training facility in Castro Valley on May 1, 2006 with two horses, three participants, and just a handful of volunteers. By God's grace, SonRise continues to serve our community today.
