Staff
Awela Aboudou
Family Programs Coordinator
Awela is one of our Family Programs Coordinator and leader of the French language Play and Learn Group. From Togo, West Africa, she came to the U.S. in 2009 and, in addition to French, speaks 6 different languages. She joined FamilyWorks in November 2017 as a Family Programs Coordinator while also facilitating Parent/Child Play and Learn groups at the North Seattle Family Center. She loves working with children and parents!
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Joey Ashenbrenner
Development & Communications Manager
Joey comes to FamilyWorks with over 11 years of service in Seattle’s non-profit community. Having primarily worked with youth-development organizations Joey has experience in both program development and fundraising. He has a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Washington and in 2011 he completed his MBA. He is honored to be at FamilyWorks, getting to serve alongside such a dedicated staff team on behalf of such a wonderful community.
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Serena Barr
Events Coordinator
Serena grew up in the greater Seattle area of Everett, WA and has resided in Seattle since returning from traveling for a few years after high school. She found her love for nonprofit work at the age of 18 when she was hired as a Canvasser to fundraise for various nonprofits and represent local political causes. Her passion for nonprofit work grew into the development of her own organization, Global Acts of Compassion, which she manages alongside being the Events Coordinator for FamilyWorks. Her passion for strengthening communities and empowering the people within them are her driving force in everything that she does!
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Edsel Blanche
Family Programs Coordinator
Edsel is a Seattle native and joined us after serving as an AmeriCorps Volunteer at WithinReach. He graduated from University of Washington Bothell with a B.A. in Community Psychology and minoring in Education and Society. He has hands on experience mentoring at risk elementary school students and volunteering at Marra Farms to increase food access for families in South Seattle. Edsel brings his passion, life, volunteer, and education experience to empower and instill hope for families in need.
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Mike Cox
Food Bank Manager
Mike left Mark Twain country in Missouri 20 years ago to move to Seattle. He has spent the last 14 years managing Chicken Soup Brigade’s food program at Lifelong AIDS Alliance and has experience working with both food banks, medical nutrition and hunger advocacy. Mike has a B.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri and completed certification in Non-profit Management at the University of Washington in 2011. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the team at FamilyWorks as we help families attain nutritional security and family stability.
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Kat Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator
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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Kirby Lochner
Communications Coordinator
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
Teen Parent & Family Programs Coordinator
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
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
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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Jesse Shandrowski
Food Bank Driver
Jesse has been a part of the FamilyWorks community for many years! He began as a volunteer, then transitioned to a Food Bank Coordinator position for 4-5 years. He took a sabbatical for a year to travel, and began volunteering again upon his return to the States. When we needed a driver, Jesse stepped up and has been driving for us ever since!
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Jake Weber
Executive Director
Jake Weber joined FamilyWorks as Director in 1997, after serving on its founding Board of Directors for two years. Jake has a BS in Music Therapy and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the UW. In 2007, Jake was honored by the Children’s Trust Foundation with the first annual “Janet Miller Award for Excellence.” She feels lucky to have a job that she loves, getting to partner with the community, the staff and the Board to nourish individuals and families on a path to resiliency.
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