Real Estate

Staff

Jessica Rutledge, Program Director, ext. 10

Jessica Rutledge is SHAC's program director. She is responsible for tracking federal and state policy developments, advocating on behalf of SHAC's members, preparing policy briefs and position papers, and coordinating with national and regional housing advocacy groups. 

Jessica previously worked with the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless and the Woonsocket Housing Authority. She graduated from American University in Washington, DC.

Ben Gworek, Community Organizer, ext. 8

As community organizer, Ben Gworek is responsible for increasing the public's understanding of the need for and nature of affordable housing in Rhode Island. He also recruits and coordinates community housing advocates across the state.

Prior to his work with SHAC, Ben was employed as an environmental organizer by the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group. Ben has also been a community organizer for Rhode Island Clean Water Action and the Green Party of Rhode Island. In 2002 and 2004, Ben volunteered as a campaign coordinator for a Rhode Island State Senate Green Party candidate. Ben serves as the volunteer Director of Public Outreach at Adopt A Doctor, a fledgling non-profit working to alleviate the health care crisis in the poorest countries of the world.

Ben received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Providence College and a Master of Arts degree from Brown University.

Kara Svendsen, Administrative Assistant

Kara is SHAC's part-time administrative assistant. She handles a number of administrative details, including revising the housing resource guide, coordinating Board meetings, and updating membership.

Kara currently administers the housing programs for AIDS Care Ocean State. Previously, Kara worked in admissions and compliance at the Plymouth Housing Group in Seattle, WA. She is a graduate of Providence College.