Tides Center projects in the Community Development & Services program are actively building the social, economic, spiritual, and cultural foundations of community. Projects work to strengthen communities for the benefit of individuals and families and for the positive contribution that such communities make to their cities and regions. By creating new and creative solutions and working to combat structural inequalities at the local level, Community Development & Services projects positively impact society at large.
Projects in this program aim to promote localization, reclaim control of community resources, establish participatory decision making mechanisms, and achieve improvements in livelihoods, social infrastructure, and the local environment. While the strategies utilized by each project vary, most often projects deliver or improve direct services; provide education and training programs on critical issues; engage in grassroots organizing; build capacity in specific locations or populations; and promote problem-solving that supports local partnership and collaboration. Populations that benefit from the work of Community Development & Services projects range from youth, the LGBT community, and the elderly to the incarcerated, victims of domestic abuse, and the formerly homeless.
 Sonya Watson has been with Tides for over eight years. In this time, her commitment to projects has allowed to progress through a series of positions touching every aspect of project services, including Administrative Specialist, Records Manager, Project Coordinator, and now Program Manager. Sonya’s been a San Francisco Bay Area resident since childhood and is an active in her children’s PTA, School Site Council, and Community Housing Partnership Board, which she has represented at multiple speaking engagements. In 1998, Sonya started the networking and support group Women Stepping Ahead, which has grown to 17 women who meet monthly to discuss their roles in their communities. It is thus appropriate that Sonya is a Program Manager for the Community Development & Services program, bringing with her a deep commitment and many years of experience working in youth development, women’s empowerment, and community economic development. Sonya is a proud mother of three, ages 3-16, and loves to spend her time outside of Tides with her husband and children.
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 Alex Vazquez is Program Manager for Community Development & Services at Tides Center. She began working at Tides in September of 2006 after six years at a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization where her duties included fundraising from individual donors and creating policies, procedures, and support mechanisms to address institutional racism, human resources, and finance issues. Alex is a graduate of UC Berkeley and holds degrees in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. She strives to incorporate the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexual orientation into social justice work. She currently serves as Board Co-Chair of the Data Center, an organization driven to reclaim the power of research and access to information in low-income communities and communities of color. Outside of Tides, Alex enjoys spending time with her partner and her puppy, along with other distractions that keep her from studying for the GMAT.
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 David Pilz is Finance Specialist for Tides Center’s Community Development & Services program. David brings with him an incredible passion for the nonprofit field as well as extensive accounting experience. David graduated from the University of California at San Diego in 2001 with a degree in economics. He has worked in corporate finance, at a small mortgage lender, and at Wells Fargo. He left his position at Wells Fargo to work with orphans in India and upon his return to the U.S. decided to apply his finance skills to the nonprofit sector. From the U.S. David continues to work with the Indian orphanage, fundraising for operating support and to build a permanent home. In his spare time, David enjoys fixing up old mopeds, photography, learning the guitar, and collecting records.
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 Judi Seibel is Senior Human Resources Manager, providing HR consulting and services for the Community Development & Services program. Judi has over 10 years of HR experience. Prior to moving into the HR field, Judi worked as a social worker, paralegal, and business manager in the nonprofit, legal, and technology sectors. Judi obtained her Sociology degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from Pennsylvania State University, and is certified by the Human Resources Certification Institute as a Professional in Human Resources. Judi is a life-long volunteer and feminist activist, having co-founded and served as Board President of Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. She currently serves on the board of Ten Thousand Villages Pittsburgh, a nonprofit retail organization. Judi has also volunteered as an arbitrator, clinic escort, food bank volunteer, and at the National Organization for Women. Judi is married with two adult sons and three cats, is a life-long Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and enjoys travel, reading, movies, and spending time with family and friends.
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