Rise Inc

Pros

• The house managers and staff are amazing.
• There are other agencies that are more legit.

Cons

• The agency is described as the worst in Oregon.
• The management hierarchy is horrible.
• Hermiston houses were forcibly closed and sold due to neglect.
• Management attempted to blame DSPs for the issues.
• The return to Rise suggested management had improved, but that proved false.
• An uncertified instructor caused a lifelong ankle injury, forcing retirement of the DSP.
• Other agencies are more legitimate.

Review

What stands out in this account is a sharp divide between the people doing the hands-on work and the leadership that oversees the operation. The writer repeatedly praises the house managers and staff, describing them as amazing and dedicated. Their daily reality at the ground level is framed in positive terms - the caregivers, direct support professionals, and frontline teams are the strength of the operation. Yet that praise sits atop a much louder critique of the organization's upper ranks and overall management structure, which the author characterizes as a toxic and poorly functioning hierarchy that drags everything down.

Historically, the reviewer recalls a dark chapter in Hermiston, where the organization's neglect allegedly led to the forced closure and sale of all its houses in the area to something called the Horizon project. The use of the word "neglect" implies systemic failures at the administrative or oversight level, failures so severe that they forced real estate and service changes for the people who depended on those homes. The author does not place blame on the house staff for those closures, but rather on the management approach that surrendered or allowed such conditions to fester.

In that same period, the management is accused of scapegoating the direct support professionals. According to the review, leaders tried to pin problems on DSPs as the root cause of the agency's troubles, a move the author believes was quickly exposed as dishonest by the state. The phrase "didn't take the state long to see their B.S." signals a perception that regulatory oversight exposed the management's deflection, turning a spotlight on a culture of finger-pointing rather than accountability. The tone suggests a breakdown in trust between leadership and the people who actually do the care work day in and day out.

Several years later, the writer returned to Rise with what they describe as a "false impression" that management had improved. The sense conveyed is one of disillusionment and skepticism: the hoped-for reforms did not materialize, or at least not in ways meaningful to those who were in the trenches. The return visit is framed as a cautionary tale about believing promises of reform without tangible evidence, especially when the core problems appear to be structural rather than cosmetic.

A pivotal moment in the narrative is a personal, traumatic incident during an OIS refresher course. The instructor - someone who was "not yet certified" - broke the author's ankle, resulting in lifelong issues and ending their long career as a DSP. This event is presented as a direct consequence of lapses in training and oversight, with long-term ramifications for the author's life and livelihood. The injury is not portrayed as a one-off accident but as a symptom of broader deficiencies in the organization's training standards and credentialing practices.

In closing, the reviewer frames their experience as evidence that there are "other agencies that are more legit." The final sentiment is a clear recommendation to seek alternatives, underscoring that, despite the commendable dedication of the frontline staff, the systemic leadership and governance of this agency undermine its overall reliability. The overall portrait is one of admirable frontline care paired with a problematic management culture that, in the reviewer's view, compromises safety, accountability, and trust.

This part of Hermiston, Oregon offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a convenient and vibrant community. The neighborhood boasts numerous dining options such as La Laguna, Hale's Tavern, and Brickhouse Coffee & Bistro for socializing and enjoying meals. There are also several pharmacies nearby including Hermiston Drug and Good Shepherd Clinic Pharmacy for easy access to medications. Additionally, there are multiple parks in the area like McKenzie Park and Riverfront Park for recreational activities and outdoor relaxation. Places of worship such as Solid Rock Community Church and Landmark Missionary Baptist Church provide spiritual support and community engagement opportunities. For medical needs, there are several physicians offices like Desert Dental and Mirasol Family Health Center, as well as hospitals such as Good Shepherd Medical Center within close proximity. Overall, this part of Hermiston offers a mix of conveniences and services that may cater to the needs of older adults looking for a comfortable living environment.

Restaurants

• La Laguna (0 miles)
• La Palma Mexican Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Hale's Tavern (0.1 miles)
• Chen's Chinese Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Pheasant Cafe & Lounge (0.1 miles)
• El Ranchero (0.1 miles)
• Midway Tavern Bar & Grill (0.1 miles)

Cafes

• Brickhouse Coffee & Bistro (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (0.5 miles)
• Starbucks (0.6 miles)
• Heidi's Coffee Cottage (1 miles)
• Roasters Coffee (23.8 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (24.4 miles)
• Starbucks (24.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hermiston Drug (0.1 miles)
• Good Shepherd Clinic Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (24.3 miles)
• Walgreens (24.4 miles)
• Yoke's Pharmacy (24.8 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.5 miles)
• Umatilla Cab Co. (1.6 miles)

Parks

• McKenzie Park (0.3 miles)
• Hodge Park (0.5 miles)
• Funland Park (0.8 miles)
• Butte Park (0.9 miles)
• Victory Square Park (1 miles)
• Theater Sports Park (1.3 miles)
• Riverfront Park (2.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Solid Rock Community Church (0.3 miles)
• Landmark Missionary Baptist Church of Hermiston (0.3 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (0.4 miles)
• First Baptist Church (0.6 miles)
• New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (0.7 miles)
• Victory Baptist Church (0.7 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (0.7 miles)

Physicians

• Desert Dental (1 miles)
• Kadlec Inland Cardiology - Hermiston (1.1 miles)
• Advanced Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute (1.2 miles)
• Mirasol Family Health Center (1.2 miles)
• Ironside Jr Keith Dr Oregon Sleep Center Hermiston (1.3 miles)
• Inland Cardiology (1.3 miles)
• Gifford Medical (1.3 miles)

Theaters

• Hermiston Cinema (1.1 miles)
• Southgate 10 (24.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Good Shepherd Health Care System (1.1 miles)
• Good Shepherd Medical Center (1.1 miles)
• Good Shepherd Hospital Heliport (1.2 miles)
• Good Shepard Medical Group (1.2 miles)
• Eastern Oregon Regional Surgery Center (1.3 miles)
• Trios Southridge Hospital (23.7 miles)