Staff
Edsel Blanche
Family Resource Center Manager, (he/him)
Edsel is a first generation, Filipino-American, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He has a BA in Community Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Work. After serving as an Americorps at WithinReach, he joined us as a Family Programs Coordinator, and then transitioned to the Family Resource Center Manager. He is excited to bring his passion, lived experience, and education to empower and advocate for families.
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Jemiris Gonzalez-de Jesus
Mobile Food Pantry Coordinator, (he/him)
Jemiris is a bilingual recent graduate of the University of Washington with a B.A. in Education, Communities, and Organizations. He brings experience in focus work of alleviating housing and food insecurity here in the Northern Seattle communities. Whether it is through direct mutual aid service, collaborating with community partners with an in-progress community fridge project in the University District, or broadcasting a podcast series advocating for the city of Seattle to increase safe overnight infrastructure (Safe Lots) for our vehicular residing neighbors, Jemiris is committed to high-quality community care that is asked for by our neighbors. He looks forward to getting to know more of our shared neighborhoods in who we all are, what makes us a community, and meeting you all!
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Morgan Grady-Benson
Community Connector, (she/her)
After receiving her BA in Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies in 2018, Morgan left the east coast to be near her sister and pursue social justice work in Seattle. She worked at multiple food service jobs, YES! Magazine, and the Tukwila Pantry Food Bank before joining the FamilyWorks team in June 2021. Morgan is passionate about fostering loving, equitable communities and is excited to build relationships and support FamilyWorks participants in her new role as Community Connector! Drop by the FamilyWorks office during food bank hours or make an appointment to meet with Morgan and get connected to any resources you may need, including rental and utility assistance, transportation, education and more.
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Kat Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator, (she/her)
Kat is originally from London, England and moved to San Francisco in 2008 and then to Seattle in 2016. Originally trained as a research scientist, Kat decided to ditch the lab coat and microscope after discovering her passion for creating community. She found FamilyWorks while looking for a play group, read the mission statement and got hooked! She loves being part of an organization that has a direct impact every day and is full of so many committed, passionate people: staff and volunteers.
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Ollie Lauver
HungerCorps Food Access Coordinator, (they/them)
Ollie is here through the United Way Hungercorps program, which has been doing incredible work to expand food access throughout King County especially through the pandemic. Ollie has lived throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as rural Pennsylvania, and their experiences in these contrasting communities have built a passion for food justice and Anthropology. They are excited to learn more about the nonprofit sector during their term at FamilyWorks.
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Kirby Lochner
Communications Coordinator, (he/him)
Kirby was born and raised in Encinitas, CA. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA in 2014 with a BA in History, he moved to Seattle to work at a non-profit and play music with the band, Versing.
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Gladys Martinez
Youth & Family Programs Coordinator, (she/her)
Gladys was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and moved to Seattle in 2004. She served with AmeriCorps from 2004-2006 as a Legal Advocate for Domestic Violence. She is the mother of three multi-talented teenage boys. She enjoys working with teen parents and having the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
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Pete Metzelfeld
Food Bank Coordinator, (he/him)
A long time food bank volunteer, Pete finally joined staff in 2016 to help out with our ever growing schedule of food deliveries and pickups. He’s since transitioned from driver to the Food Bank Coordinator role. He’s a great guy and loves the Green Bay Packers!
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James Moody
Food Bank Coordinator, (he/him)
James has a passion for hunger relief work. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and was a former Manager of Food Lifeline’s Seattle’s Table Program (A perishable food rescue program). He is a former Seattle Firefighter and more recently worked for a cruise line for eight years before deciding to return to community service work.
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Danielle New
Annual Giving Manager
Bio coming soon!
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Anisa Nun
Community Connector & Family Programs Coordinator, (she/her)
Anisa is one of our Community Connectors and Family Programs Coordinators. She is originally from Somalia, and also speaks three languages: Somali, English, and Italian (and casual Spanish!). After several years as a volunteer and participant at FamilyWorks, she is excited to continue her passion for helping families and community as a FamilyWorks staff member. In her spare time, she loves volunteering and spending time with her kids outdoors.
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Tobey Solomon-Auger
Food Bank Manager, (she/her)
After receiving her BA in International Relations from Tufts University, and travelling abroad to study food security in Malawi, India and Italy, Tobey knew she wanted to work towards food and social justice in her own local community. She was thrilled to discover FamilyWorks after moving out to Seattle in 2019 and worked for a year as a Food Bank Coordinator & Driver. Inspired by the FamilyWorks community, Tobey is excited to take on the role of Food Bank Manager and continue to foster a community-centered, justice-driven, and joy-filled space.
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Theresa Williams
Office Manager
Theresa comes to FamilyWorks with over 12 years of experience administrating services to communities throughout the West Coast through The Salvation Army, a non-profit organization. She has always had a passion, and a heart to support the individuals, families & community in which she resides. So, after taking a break to give birth to a beautiful baby boy, she is extremely excited to join the FamilyWorks teams as a support to the dedicated staff making a difference in the lives of so many, as well as get to know the participants, volunteers & donors.
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Marcia Wright-Soika
Executive Director, (she/her)
Marcia Wright-Soika joined FamilyWorks in July 2020. She stepped into the nonprofit sector after being inspired by the strength, resilience, and need of the local communities she covered as a journalist in Pennsylvania. In her most recent role as Director of Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships for Mercy Housing Northwest, she helped to lead the strategy that launched a new community resource center in South Seattle, inspired in part by the holistic family services offered at FamilyWorks. Marcia is honored and thrilled to join FamilyWorks, and is looking forward to connecting with the volunteers, donors, and participants that form our rich and vibrant community.
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