Lynchpin Mission

Lynchpin foundation: Empowering teens and their families to achieve social success.

Founded by Erin Lynch, and supported by the Lynch family, Lynchpin foundation is a social learning community where students and families connect, learn, and grow together.

Defining lynchpin:

A lynchpin is a fastener used to prevent a wheel or other part from sliding off the axle upon which it is riding.

The word "lynchpin" is also used figuratively to mean "something [or someone] that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together."

Therefore Lynchpin foundation is a cohesive source of support and stability to teens and their families navigating through the social world.

Lynchpin Foundation

Our Team

Erin N. Lynch

Erin N. Lynch – Founder/Director

Serving the autism community for 15 years, Erin has been proactive in bringing assesment and therapeutic ideas and techniques to the Yakima, Washington community. She has traveled nationally and internationally to participate in seminars on spectrum disorders. She has served on regional as well as state boards for autism.

Erin’s nature is one of calm acceptance, allowing her to speak to parents as a peer as well as an authority.

Sharon Loudon

Director of Social Education

Kelly Flaherty

Social Educator

Amy Tuman

Social Educator

Mike Maxwell

Director of Gaming/Social Educator

Jake Lynch

Assistant to the Director

Lynchpin Foundation

Board of Directors

  • Debbie Cameron
  • Victoria Fanning
  • Merrilee Hurson
  • Robert Kershaw
  • Greg Loudon
  • Erin Lynch
  • Donna McGrath
  • Lori Thompson
  • Terri Zirkle