Friends of Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation (DBA Sequoia Therapeutic Recreation) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization providing inclusive community based therapeutic recreation activities one on one and in small groups for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families
Our Mission: Cultivating confidence, friendships, joy, and respect.
Vision: To be well-respected and trusted
Values: Sincerity, Honesty, Long-term relationships, Mutual Respect, Inclusive Community
We Love Our
Volunteers!
We are looking for fun folks to join our team! Choose to volunteer for one time events, or ongoing programs and activities!
Meet the Team
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kodi started Sequoia TR in April 2021 to provide recreation activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities after dedicating 20 years of service at a local park district.
She enjoys cooking, camping, hiking, gardening, and doodling. She cherishes the connections and community STR fosters, and she looks forward to getting to know you through programs!
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RECREATION LEADER and COMMUNITY INCLUSION ASSISTANT
Peggy is excited to continue working recreation programs like socials, outings, camping trips and sports serving the same participants and families she worked with as a Recreation Leader for 17yrs at a local park district.
She also retired after dedicating 35 years as a Speech Therapy Assistant with Tacoma Public Schools.
During my time off, she loves reading, exercising, taking rides to the ocean and the mountains. And of course she’s always rooting for the home teams: Mariners and Seahawks!
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OFFICE MANAGER
Amy is an amazing Mom to one of Sequoia’s youngest participants. She is a data geek and avid supporter of accessible programs in the community. Amy is excited to be a part of Sequoia TR by providing invaluable administrative support behind the scenes to help keep things running smoothly.
Amy enjoys spending time with her family in Tacoma and loves cuddles from her dogs and cats.
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RECREATION & COMMUNITY INCLUSION SPECIALIST
Swana comes to Sequoia after nearly a decade of providing in-home care services and recreational opportunities to adults with and without intellectual and physical disabilities. They have a yearning to grow both in their career and in their personal life.
Swana describes themself as a lifelong learner and they’re always enrolling in community classes or watching tutorials online. They also enjoy outdoor activities like travel, camping, and music festivals, they enjoy second-hand shopping, and all kinds of DIY projects and arts and crafts.
Swana loves exotic pets and has 3 Cats, 2 Snakes, a bearded dragon and a tarantula. They are also a proud parent of 3 adult children and 1 very active grandson!
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Kelly Lynch brings 20 years of experience creating inclusive spaces through recreation, movement, and visual arts. An interdisciplinary artist and educator, she has taught adaptive dance, physical education, and visual arts at organizations including the Denver Art Museum, YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, The Seabury School, and numerous public schools and dance studios across Colorado and Washington.
Outside of teaching, Kelly enjoys gardening, costume design, spending time with loved ones, and swimming. She believes deeply in the power of the arts to foster connection and community, and is excited to be part of Sequoia.
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RECREATION & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Danielle has a background in both healthcare and community support. Before entering the recreation field, she served in the U.S. Army as a combat medic, where she developed a passion for helping others, supporting people through challenges, and building confidence. She is a certified EMT and CMA.
She is currently in school pursuing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation with a minor in Counseling. She loves creating fun and meaningful experiences for people of all abilities to learn and grow. Danielle especially enjoys helping individuals build confidence, try new things, and learn more about themselves.
Outside of work and school, Danielle enjoys fitness, coffee shops, craft projects, being outdoors, and spending time with animals. She has two guinea pigs and enjoys feeding the backyard wildlife.
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COMMUNITY INCLUSION SPECIALIST II
Prior to working for Sequoia TR, Emily taught special education for five years in Provo, Utah. Her favorite part about teaching is finding unique ways to connect with diverse learners, celebrating all successes, no matter how big or small, and continually learning new things.
Emily and her husband enjoy traveling to national parks and have visited 13 parks together so far. She also enjoys biking, camping, thrifting, learning about the history of medicine, reading, and sewing matching clothes for herself and her daughter.
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Tasia Thompson
Tasia has 10+ years of experience planning inclusive and engaging activities for individuals of all ages and abilities. She is a passionate advocate for families and the neurodiverse population.
She and her husband have four fabulous neurodivergent children who challenge and bless them on a daily basis. Together they love to kayak, play board games, and watch movies.
Tasia loves LEGOS, learning, making music, art, and alliterations.
Her favorite quote is from Ghandi, "Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
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RECREATION & COMMUNITY INCLUSION SPECIALIST
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MARKETING ASSISTANT
Kay has been a volunteer with Sequoia TR since the very beginning. They are now expanding their role into marketing. Kay is a recent grad from the Tacoma Community College with their associate’s degree in Art and will start attending Oregon State University for botany and art as an honor’s student in the fall.
Kay is an avid outdoorsman and deeply enjoys hiking, backpacking, camping, and loves all things nature, especially the local PNW! Their experience includes leading nature education camps with The Tacoma Nature Center and Tahoma Bird Alliance. They have also worked with Elements of Education providing inclusive arts and STEM programs, and painted over 5 murals since graduating TCC.
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Sequoia TR is seeking an individual services provider to be a part of our growing team to provide 1:1 services in the community. If you are interested submit a resume and cover letter explaining your specific experience working with folks with I/DD to kodi@sequoiatr.org
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Marketing Assistant
Nia handles the social media for Sequoia TR and helps out with marketing. She is a recent grad from the Tacoma Community College with her associate's degree in Communication Studies and will start attending the University of Washington-Seattle to major in Communication in the fall.
Nia is excited to help Sequoia TR grow its online presence, create engaging content, and maintain a consistent brand presence across social media platforms. In her free time, Nia loves to read any genre of books and spend time with her family.
Board of Directors
Leandra Shelton - President
Greg Chow - Vice President
Melissa McGinnis
Jon Ketler
Amy Johnson - Treasurer
Paula Larson - Secretary
Jody Bratton
Alan Gill
If you would like to see a copy of STR’s original 1023 form, Governing Documents, Conflict of Interest Policy, or Financial Statements please email the ED
Join Our Team
Sequoia TR just hired a part time and full time Recreation and Community Inclusion Specialists
The Recreation & Community Inclusion Specialist designs and leads inclusive, community-based activities that inspire connection, build life skills, and support independence for individuals with I/DD. This position calls for creativity, strong communication, and a genuine commitment to belonging and empowerment.
Interested in joining our team? Refer back to this page for current and future openings. Our application process is simple. Submit resume and cover letter explaining your specific experience working in the I/DD community.
At Sequoia TR, every team member plays a vital role in our small organization. If you prefer part time, please inquire