Meet Jessica Rodriguez

We recently connected with Jessica Rodriguez and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I feel incredibly lucky to bring together all the things that I love through my work at SNAP — philanthropy, swimming, kids, and community. Throughout my 15 year career as a Pediatric Physical Therapists, I have had the pleasure of working with amazing nonprofit organizations, meeting passionate colleagues and supporting the growth and development of children and families. Together with the support from our passionate board of directors and incredible staff, SNAP has transformed lives and our community. Founding and developing SNAP is not just a job, it’s a dream come true!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Jessica is a Pediatric Physical Therapist whose heart lies in the water—where therapy, joy, and transformation meet. Over the past 15 years, she has worked with hundreds of children in both medical and recreational settings, witnessing the profound impact aquatic therapy can have on a child’s growth, confidence, and spirit. Jessica grew an aquatic physical therapy program, creating a space where children of all abilities could thrive. Her passion for inclusion led her to establish and volunteer as head coach for a Special Olympics swim team designed especially for young children—offering them not just a sport, but a sense of belonging. Jessica is deeply committed to serving the special needs community by making aquatic opportunities safe, effective, and accessible to all. Through her program, SNAP with Stepping Stones, she envisions a warm, welcoming community where children, families and staff come together to learn, grow, and celebrate every small victory—together. Her program, SNAP with Stepping Stones, is all about creating a welcoming, splash-happy space where kids with special needs—and their families—feel seen, supported, and celebrated. In just four years, SNAP has grown from serving 8 kids a week to 50, powered by a team of 10 passionate staff members. Today, it’s the go-to nonprofit in Ventura County for aquatic-based fun and therapy. Our mission is to make waves of change—turning pools into places of possibility for every child, one joyful splash at a time.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

When I think about the impact of our work, a quote from the ever-inspiring Marie Forleo always floats to the top of my mind: “Never start a business just to make money. Start a business to make a difference.”

That’s exactly what we set out to do— meet a real need in our community, with the right people by our side. From the very beginning, our goal wasn’t just to build a nonprofit—it was to build a movement, powered by people who brought not only expertise and know-how, but also heart and a whole lot of hope.

Building a nonprofit from the ground up isn’t for the faint of heart. I had to adapt, pivot and grow at an exponential rate to keep up with the demand for our services. The qualities that have carried me through this wild and wonderful ride? Three big ones come to mind:

Grit – That scrappy, unshakable determination that keeps you moving forward, often into the unknown. We hit more than a few bumps along the way, but grit kept us grounded.

Interpersonal Skills – Relationships are everything. Whether it’s connecting with families, collaborating with staff, or rallying support from the community, building authentic connections has been the glue that holds it all together.

Passion – Passion is what gets you up in the morning and keeps you dreaming big, even when your to-do list is a mile long. It’s the heartbeat of our mission and the reason we’ve been able to grow, thrive, and make a real difference.

As a nonprofit, it’s purpose, people, and pure love for what we do that truly drive us forward.

How would you describe your ideal client?

Our ideal client is a child or young adult with special needs—whether physical, developmental, sensory, or cognitive—who would benefit from a supportive, individualized approach to learning water safety, swimming skills, and building confidence in the water.

We welcome swimmers who may:

Have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, or other diagnoses that affect motor skills, coordination, or social interaction.

Need a gentle, patient, and flexible approach to learning.

May not thrive in traditional swim lessons or group classes due to attention, behavioral, or mobility challenges.

Could benefit from therapeutic water movement to improve strength, coordination, regulation, and self-esteem.

Seek a place where fun, progress, and inclusion go hand-in-hand.

Our families are:

Looking for a safe and inclusive environments where their child is truly seen and supported.

Eager to find instructors and programs that adapt to their child, rather than expect their child to adapt to the program.

Excited about helping their child build confidence, learn life-saving skills, and experience joy in the water.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://snapaquatics.org
• Instagram: snapwithsteppingstones
• Facebook: SNAP with Stepping Stones
• Yelp: SNAP with Stepping Stones

Image Credits

Tess Michelle Photography