You might be wondering, who are our Community Connectors and what exactly do they do? Pictured above (from left to right), our Community Connectors (Anisa, Nicole, and Ron) and our School Community Resource Navigator Renée meet with participants one-on-one to provide personalized support and connections to a variety of programs and services throughout the Seattle area. Folks can meet with a Community Connector at our Wallingford Food Bank, Family Resource Center, Satellite Resource Centers at Nathan Hale High School and Broadview-Thomson K-8 School, and some of our Mobile Food Pantry distribution sites. During an appointment with a Community Connector, participants can learn more about our Food Access and Family Support Programs and connect to other services and resources provided by our network of trusted partner organizations. These include free cell phones from Access Wireless, free internet from Xfinity’s Affordable Connectivity Program, transportation from Orca Lift, assistance accessing SNAP/EBT, WIC Nutrition, rental and utility assistance, and more!
Keep reading below to get to know Anisa, Nicole, Ron, and Renée!
Anisa Nun (she/her), Community Connector
Hello! My name is Anisa Nun, and I am one of FamilyWorks’ Community Connectors. I have been connected to FamilyWorks for 15 years. Even before I was hired at FamilyWorks, I was going to playgroups with my kids and volunteering in the food bank.
Three years ago, I was hired as a Community Connector, which is an honor I still hold close to my heart. As someone who has leaned on her community, I know how much it means to have one. I started my life in a new country after escaping another nation and its 30-year Civil War. I survived because of my community. I share a heart and soul with my community, and I believe it is where healing begins. Community is our rock, and no one can break its love.
Today, I have the honor of giving back to my community. As a Community Connector, I can refer and connect people looking to access resources such as: rental assistance, utility discount programs, Orca Lift, Snap/ EBT, WIC, child care … and more!
Fun facts about me: I am trilingual! Italian, Somali, and English! I am a mother of three beautiful girls and love cooking. I also enjoy exercising in my free time and socializing.
Nicole Freitas (she/her), Community Connector
I grew up in San Jose, CA and have been in Seattle for about 8 years. I graduated from SU with my B.S. in Psychology. Throughout college, I worked with Bailey Gatzert Elementary and the SU Center for Community Engagement. After graduating, I joined Americorps as a Family Engagement Program Coordinator at Gatzert. Through this work, I discovered my passion for fostering safe and accepting spaces for families to feel supported, and I have helped to grow these spaces around Seattle. Outside of work, I can be found bouldering, learning pottery, or attempting trivia!
Ron Ketelhut (he/him), Community Connector
Hi! My name is Ron, and I am thrilled to join the FamilyWorks team as a Community Connector. New to Seattle by way of New Orleans, I have a Masters in Social Work from Tulane University and have been working in school and communities as a classroom teacher and social worker for over a decade. I am deeply passionate about working in partnership with communities to help them grow even healthier and happier! One of my greatest professional and personal joys is spending time with kids, and I love working with caregivers (in both English and Spanish!) to ensure all children’s needs are met. Outside of work, I love being outdoors, camping, hiking, spending time with my dog, and cooking.
Renée Pierce (she/her), School Community Resource Navigator
My name is Renée Pierce, and I was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. I enjoy traveling, crabbing, and cooking. In addition, I love to give back to my community by participating in many various activities and various groups. I come from a large, loving, and hard-working family, and I was taught at a very young age that family is everything and it’s very important for us to stick together.
Over the years, I have continued to live by that motto and I have expanded it to involve community. I believe having a strong family and community goes hand in hand with each other. Together, they shape who we are, create values, and strengthen us as one. This is why I feel so passionate about the work I do.
With over 12 years of experience working with families directly, I have learned many of us have gone through the same obstacles. I’ve also learned a lot of people don’t realize the resources they may have available to them or the right advocate. Therefore, I have dedicated myself to helping others navigate through certain systems, helping them with resources, building stronger families, developing communities, and teaching folks how to advocate for themselves as well as for social change.