Garage Staff
Brett Baldwin
Mental Health Therapist [email protected] Brett is a mental health counselor at the Garage, a Teen Cafe and has been with the organization since the Winter of 2023. He received his Bachelors from the University of Oregon in 2016 and his Master of Arts in Psychology from Seattle University in 2022. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington. Having gone through his own therapy as a teen, and in continuing his own therapy today, Brett understands the power, peace, and relief that can come from having a space to speak your mind freely, as well as in being fully attended to by another. His approach is rooted in existential-humanistic theory, using interventions drawn from relational and psychodynamic modalities. Brett resides in Issaquah with his husband and two cats, Pancake and Sushi. In his free time he enjoys listening to house music, getting carried in The Finals, and pretending he's not obsessed with chess. Jorge Colon
Program Coordinator [email protected] Before joining the Garage Team, Jorge attended the first Big Picture Alternative Learning High School in the inner city section of Kensington, Philadelphia where he was first introduced to gender equality and human rights activism and social justice studies while interning at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia (also known as The Mutter Museum; The Museum of medical Oddities). His background has been focused on empowering youth and teen mentorship throughout his high school experience ultimately receiving a paid internship opportunity in youth programs coordination and high school mentorship at The Mutter. For the last 8 years Jorge has been teaching himself the processes and fundamentals of Visual Arts such as Oil painting, graphic designing, rendering Atelier & Academia style sketches along with utilizing Art as an extension of self care and mental health practice. Jorge currently resides in Downtown Seattle with his Plant Babies Fernicus Sr & Fernicus Jr, and various pothos plants Linda Evangelista, Neomi, Claudia, Cristy and his newest addition George Jr., a monstera plant. Autumn Han
Host Home Program Manager [email protected] Autumn joined The Garage team as their host home program manager in the fall of 2024. She received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and previously worked as the data coordinator for the Jason Wolff Research Lab within the university’s Child Education and Human Development department. Outside of her career, Autumn has worked with outdoor communities in Minnesota to create equitable, BIPOC-centered spaces for climbers who identify as people of color; she was on the BIPOC initiatives board for the American Alpine Club Twin Cities chapter and designed and facilitated some of the chapter’s first educational outdoor programming. Autumn now resides in Issaquah with her partner Peter. In her free time, she enjoys reading sci-fi books and cooking, and you can probably find her climbing out at the exits or trail running around Cougar Mountain. KayLee Jaech
Executive Director [email protected] KayLee is the founder and Executive Director of the Garage, a Teen Café. She worked for three years to bring a teen center to the Issaquah School District before the Garage opened in 2018. Since then, she has led the organization that now serves 60 – 100 teens a day, providing a safe space for them to gather and access resources as needed. Before starting the Garage, she was the Development Director and Interim Executive Director of the Issaquah Schools Foundation. KayLee has spent more than 25 years working in the nonprofit field and is happy to bring that experience to serve youth in her hometown of Issaquah. KayLee also serves as trustee for the Breneman Jaech Foundation and the Herbert B. Jones Foundation. She received a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University. She resides in Issaquah with furbabies Frankie, Wynona, Waverly and featherbabies Geraldine, Maisey, and Wilma Christine Knight
Case Manager [email protected] (425) 477-9251 Christine is a Case Manager at the Garage, a Teen Cafe. She assists youth ages 12-19 achieve their goals and meet their individual needs through strengths-based service plans. This intervention and prevention works to keep teens in their homes and communities. Prior to joining the team in the fall of 2021 she worked for multiple nonprofits in the Central Valley of California as a Registered Behavior Technician. She has been thrilled to spend the majority of her professional career serving the teenage demographic and continues to find joy and passion serving the youth of Issaquah today. Christine brings a valuable perspective to the Garage as someone with lived experience with the foster care system and youth homelessness. She currently resides in Renton with her pet best friends, her cat Meekah and leopard gecko Bartholomew. Erin Longchari
Development Director [email protected] Erin is the Development Director of the Garage, a Teen Cafe. Before joining the Garage team, she spent six years in direct social service at the Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank. As Operations and Programs Director, Erin was immersed in program development, community engagement, and advocacy to help build equitable, accessible programs and services for all. Prior to moving to Washington, Erin spent 10 years in university advancement, raising major gifts for programs focused on sustainability and environmental justice at the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources, and navigating through transformational change at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. She received her degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of New England, Australia. Erin resides in North Bend with her husky, Luna, and feline furbaby, Atticus. She can often be found roaming the Cascades, looking for high ridgelines and all manner of flora and fauna. Erin is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan - black and gold all the way. Serena Narisawa
Program Manager [email protected] Serena is a Program Coordinator at the Garage, a Teen Cafe. She serves teens daily, manages the Book of the Month Program, and helps to evaluate program efficacy through monthly Listening Sessions. Before joining the Garage Team, she graduated with a bachelor's degree from Seattle University. During her time there, she served as a Global Ambassador at the International Student Center, where she welcomed and facilitated community building events for incoming international students. Additionally, she was an active participant with the Gender Justice Center as well as Seattle U's Asian/Pacific Islanders for Equity and Critical Engagement (APIECE). Serena currently resides in Renton with her furbaby, Maple. Brenna Moore
Program Coordinator [email protected] Brenna is a Program Coordinator at the Garage, a Teen Cafe. As a Program Coordinator, she works hard to create a welcoming environment for any student that comes through the door. Her main goals at The Garage are to help students bring their creative ideas to life, and to create a space where all students are welcome and validated. Brenna has 4+ years of working with youth from varying backgrounds and identities. Before working at The Garage, Brenna has worked for Sequim School District, Mercer Island School District, Issaquah School District, as well as counseling at Echo Glen Children’s Center. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences from Washington State University, as well as an Associate’s in Addiction Studies from Peninsula College. Brenna currently resides in Issaquah with cat, Rosie. Tiana Parry
Program Director [email protected] Tiana is the Program Director at the Garage, a Teen Cafe and has been with the organization since the Grand Opening in 2018. As Program Director, she supervises the Garage's Program Staff, enjoys mentoring Gibson Ek High School interns, leading the Garage’s annual Rainbow Prom in the Spring and Pride Event in the Summer, and playing video games and board games with Garage teens. She received her associate’s degree from Bellevue College with a concentration in Sociology before transferring to Western Washington University to receive her bachelor’s degree. While at Bellevue College she also tutored fellow students on Sociology at the Academic Success Center. She resides in her hometown of Bellevue with her partner and their dogs, Ginny & Leia and cat, Louie. In her free time she enjoys playing Animal Crossing, drinking coffee, and doing craft projects. Patrick White
Mental Health Therapist [email protected] Patrick is a mental health counselor at the Garage. He received his Bachelors from Eastern Washington University in Psychology in 2011 and his Masters from Seattle University in Arts and Education in Community Counseling in 2017. He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington. Before working at the Garage, Patrick worked for the City of Redmond at the Old Firehouse as a Program Coordinator and then at the Refugee Resettlement Office in downtown Seattle as an ESL teacher. After completing his Masters, he worked in downtown Kent serving exclusively teens, working both in a clinical setting, as well as at an alternative high school. His mental health approach is rooted in an existential-phenomenological approach that seeks to contextualize pathology in systems of oppression and authority often overlooked by modern mental health approaches. Patrick lives in Issaquah with his wife (baker, cake maker, sugar flower prodigy) and cat (tuxedo, surly, fast food-seeking) enjoying hobbies including but not limited to: sneakers (mostly Jordans), books (mostly 20th century French and German philosophy), sports (Bulls, Bears, White Sox), and video games (Diablo II, Dark Souls I-III, Overwatch). Jeff Vazquez Case Manager [email protected] Before joining The Garage team, Jeff worked as a Direct Support Professional for adults living with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Western Washington University. During his time there he served on the Board of Blue Group which provides support for undocumented students, community, and allies. His educational background has focused on American Cultural Studies and WGSS. In his free time he enjoys taking care of his plants, traveling, playing tennis, and spending time with his two small Chiweenies, Miley and Charlie. |
Garage Board
Rebecca Rice Board Chair Behavioral Health Support Lead at Bellwether Housing Tonya Swick Vice Chair & Treasurer Senior Business Executive, Operational Ninja Alicia Spinner Secretary Executive Director of The Circle Christine Collenette Board Member Chief Operating Officer at Innovation Realty Partners Matt Coyne Board Member Chief Operating Officer at DA Davidson & Co Karen Crowe Board Member Director of Child Development at Arena Sports Jordan Frost Board Member District Athletic and Activities Director at Issaquah High School Russell Joe Board Member City of Issaquah Council Member & External Relations Manager at Master Builders Assosiation Brian Johnson Board Member Wealth Manager at Laird Norton Wetherby Sukhada Palkar Board Member Computer Scientist Christi Price Board Member Retired Teacher-Librarian at ISD & LWSD A.J. Taylor Board Member Privacy Manager at Microsoft Corp. |
