From the living room to the front lines of change—how one couple turned a personal calling into lasting impact for families.
It didn’t start with a business plan. It began with a deep, undeniable calling. A calling to lead with empathy, to love without judgment, and to serve—especially those families who often feel overlooked, misunderstood, or dismissed. Before RIZO Services became a name, it was a profound burden on the hearts of its founders, Johnathan and Melissa Rizo. They thought about the kids falling through the cracks, the parents doing their best with no one in their corner, the schools stretched thin, and the leaders who cared but were utterly worn out. And at the heart of it all, they felt an undeniable pull to step in.
The Burden That Became a Blueprint: Recognizing the Gap
Johnathan never took the expected route. He was always one to push boundaries, see hidden patterns, and bravely step into the messy situations others avoided. “I loved the tough cases,” he reflects. “The wild ones, the broken ones—the ones that reminded me of who I used to be.” His journey instilled a powerful vision for Empowering Home Leadership, recognizing the crucial, often overlooked, role of fathers and male figures in shaping family dynamics. He saw the need for strong, emotionally intelligent male leadership, inspiring him to envision fathers equipped to build resilient households and leave a profound legacy.
Meanwhile, Melissa, steady and sharp, was building her own path as a dedicated school psychologist—driven, thoughtful, and deeply committed to families. Her experiences cultivated a profound empathy for the immense emotional load caregivers carry. Her perspective emphasized the nurturing, supportive, and compassionate aspects essential for true family well-being, understanding the silent battles fought by mothers, and recognizing the desperate need for holistic support that addresses emotional burnout and fosters self-care.
Together, their individual insights converged. They witnessed the fragmented landscape of family support firsthand: countless families feeling isolated, overwhelmed by chaos, and profoundly unsure where to turn for comprehensive, compassionate help. It wasn’t just about a child’s behavior; it was the entire family system crying out for cohesive guidance and understanding. This profound realization solidified their conviction: families needed more than disjointed therapies or impersonal consultations; they needed a lifeline.
Built to Serve: Our Journey to Create RIZO
The mission became personal.
Every great movement begins with a moment of courage, and for the Rizos, it meant letting go of the comfortable. They left full-time jobs, risking security, and betting on themselves to build something better. With unwavering consistency and relentless dedication, the journey to build RIZO began.
RIZO Services was born not just out of professional expertise, but deep personal conviction. We committed to reinvention, daring to pioneer new approaches and focusing on lasting transformation, not just temporary fixes. We meticulously designed a service model that integrated diverse expertise, ensuring every family received comprehensive, high-quality, and dependable care. Our ambition extended far beyond typical business goals. We yearned to cultivate a vibrant community—a place where families felt truly understood, where their struggles were validated, and where they were supported every step of the way.
Our Framework of Faith and Unwavering Commitment
From the very beginning, Johnathan and Melissa knew their work was ministry—even if it wasn’t in a traditional church building. Their faith taught them to serve the overlooked, love the unlovable, and never retire from a calling. This profound sense of purpose, rooted in their deepest values, became the underlying, unwavering commitment that fuels every aspect of RIZO. It’s why our work is seen as a mission, driving us to serve beyond expectation.
This spirit runs deep in everything RIZO Services does. We believe in:
- Relationships over routines: Our therapists build connection first, because true progress only happens when trust is present.
- Treating families, not just symptoms: Every service we provide is rooted in the bigger picture: healing homes and empowering parents.
- Operating from faith, not fear: This work is hard. It’s messy. But we’re built for it—and we believe every life can be transformed with truth, structure, and love.
Your Family’s Lifeline: Our Promise for Lasting Impact
Our founder story isn’t just history; it’s the living blueprint of our promise to you. Because we’ve intimately seen the struggles, and because we believe unconditionally in the inherent power and resilience of every family, RIZO is committed to providing expert care with true understanding and profound compassion. We stand as your dedicated partners in this journey of development and transformation.
Today, RIZO Services serves hundreds of families through ABA therapy, psychological consulting, school partnerships, and more. With a growing team and an ever-expanding vision, the heart remains unchanged: build people, build homes, build futures.
At RIZO, you’re not just a client; you’re part of a family committed to building stronger homes and brighter futures. Welcome to RIZO Services. We’re honored you’re here. You’re not alone – we’re here for you every step of the way.
