05/29/2026
LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Meet Dr. Jakin, Director of iREC ⭐
iREC - Valley Rec was inspired by Jakin’s experiences while attending Occupational Therapy school in Kansas City, where he worked as a home health aide for families with adult children with special needs and with a non-profit ice cream shop that employed individuals with disabilities. Through those experiences, he discovered the meaning of respite care, community support, and inclusive opportunities and began asking, “Why aren’t there more programs like this back in my community?”
iREC first began as Jakin’s doctoral capstone project and was built on three core pillars: Inclusive Recreation & Leisure, Employment, and Connected Living. The program continues to grow and evolve through community feedback and the needs of the individuals and families it serves.
When he’s not working with people at Valley Rec or out in the community, you can find him spending time with his family, playing with his dog, playing basketball, and cheering on Minnesota sports teams! His favorite part about working at the Rec is building relationships with program participants and members and creating opportunities for everyone to feel included and connected.
We are so grateful to have Jakin on our team and for the impact he continues to make in our community! If you’re interested in learning more about iREC, reach out to Jakin at [email protected].
