The Jewish Federation Connecting with Community welcomes Jane Ralph, Executive Director of Construct, Inc.  Through shared stories and scientific evidence, Jane will describe how Construct, Inc. has harnessed community goodwill to provide homes and support to working and vulnerable neighbors.

By sharing lessons learned, as well as the needs that still exist, this interactive session will explore ways to build community where all can work and live.  We will also explore how this has occurred and perhaps how it could continue to be strengthened in light of ongoing needs for homes that Berkshire neighbors can afford.

Jane comes to Construct from north central Vermont. She served as Executive Director of the Clarina Howard Nichols Center serving those affected by domestic and sexual violence - an organization similar to the Elizabeth Freeman Center. As affordable housing was a primary obstacle to safety, under Jane’s leadership Clarina expanded their response to that need. Jane has worked with housing and homelessness in Washington DC and Kansas City as well as Vermont. Jane’s educational background is in Music Education with a Bachelors degree from University of Wisconsin-River Falls and pastoral with a Master of Divinity from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. Primary interests include building compassionate community through intersectional approaches to racial equity and social change.

This free program is part of the Federation’s Connecting With Community Series and will be followed by a kosher hot lunch. Lunch is a $2 suggested donation for adults over 60 years of age or $7 for all others. Advance reservations are required for lunch and can be made by calling (413) 442-2200 before 9 a.m. on the day of the program.