Imagine owning a stunning piece of art while making a profound difference in our community. We are thrilled to announce that artists Jeff Nestel-Patt (photographer, www.jeffnpphotography.com ) and Steven Landes (glass artist) are hosting an art raffle to benefit Construct at their art show, “Pixels and Glass” at the Art on Main Gallery at 38 Main Street in West Stockbridge from July 2nd through 26th. Every ticket you purchase gives you the chance to win a beautiful piece of artwork and support Construct.
Gallery exhibition opening reception: July 4th, 2pm – 4pm
Gallery Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 4pm
There will be two winners selected:
Winner #1 will receive a signed, mounted and matted limited edition, archival inkjet photograph by artist Jeff Nestel-Patt
8” x 12” (approximate dimensions depending upon the composition of the selected photograph). Matted size approximately 14” x 18”.
Winner will be able to select the photograph of their choice from the artists photographs at the “Pixels and Glass” exhibition at the Art on Main Gallery in July 2026. Artist will provide the winner with a limited edition, signed, mounted and matted archival inkjet photograph of the selected image in the size specified above.
Winner # 2 will receive a glass sculpture by artist Steven Landes
Winner will receive the “Wavelength #1” sculpture from the “Pixels and Glass” exhibition at the Art on Main Gallery in July 2026.
How It Works:
Tickets: $25 each or 3 for $65
Deadline: The winning ticket will be drawn at the close of the show at the Art on Main Gallery on July 26th, 2026, at 4 pm. You do not have to be present to win. Winners will be notified via email if they are not present at the time of the drawing.
Where to Buy: Raffle tickets may be purchased only at the “Pixels and Glass” exhibition at the Art on Main Gallery at 38 Main Street in West Stockbridge between July 2nd and 26th.
Your support transforms lives. Thank you for your generosity!
A Webinar conversation hosted by the Berkshire Edge — May 6, 2026
Last week, The Berkshire Edge hosted a webinar on the link between housing instability and health outcomes in Berkshire County. Panelists discussed how the region’s housing shortage affects individuals, families, employers, and healthcare systems. Housing professionals were present on the panel to explore potential community responses.
We are proud that Construct Executive Director Joey Lindstrom joined regional healthcare and housing leaders on the panel to highlight the urgent need for affordable housing solutions in our community.
The conversation reinforced an important reality: housing is a healthcare issue. The lack of safe, stable, affordable homes reduces healthcare access and strains physical, mental, and financial health of vulnerable people and essential workers in our community.
To learn more, please watch the webinar or read the Berkshire Edge article here.
Thank you for supporting Construct’s efforts to expand housing opportunities and strengthen our community. We invite you to get involved by donating, volunteering, or advocating with us to help ensure everyone in our region has access to safe, affordable housing. Learn more.
“It was the coldest weekend of the year. I woke up freezing in the early hours of Saturday morning. I touched the heater in our bedroom. The metal was cold. I checked the thermostat, and the temperature read 39 degrees. I turned the heat switch on and off, and I heard the furnace engage, but all I felt was cold air. I went to the sink and turned on the hot water…nothing. I looked down at my wife in bed with the covers up to her neck. I then saw our bunny rabbits huddled side by side, clearly discussing what was obvious to them…there was no heat. Then came the stomach punch from my conscience, as I realized I had not checked the oil tank in a while.
I’m out of oil, I thought.
Being forgetful is one thing, but as a father and a husband, not being able to provide is a slow death. I suddenly felt sick, and then the panic kicked in.
Heat assistance was limited this year, and I didn’t have enough extra money for the minimum of a hundred gallons of oil you have to purchase before delivery. It’s the coldest weekend of the year, and it’s Saturday, when most places are closed for assistance, including oil delivery. So for the rest of the weekend, I boiled water on the stove to add some heat back to the house.
The hours dragged, and the days were long as Monday morning slowly rolled around. I called a few places for assistance. BCAC, Neighbor to Neighbor, 18 Degrees, Salvation Army. All to no avail.
I called John B Hull Oil and told them my situation. The phone operator was compassionate, but he let me know that there are a lot of people in the same situation as mine, and there’s a list of “1st priority” even with the money up front for the hundred gallons. As someone in remission from cancer, I haven’t been able to work much this year, and my beautiful wife has been taking care of everything.
With no answers or a solution to move forward, I had one last idea: to call Construct.
Excitement overcame me when John B Hull arrived at my house to deliver our oil. It had been a long, cold weekend, and a light was finally breaking through the dark clouds.
So now I had oil but still no heat. I called my landlord, and he said to me, “Not having oil is one part of the problem, but the other part is that the furnace has to be serviced in order for it to restart”. I called John B. Hull and asked them how much the service fee was. He told me $120.00 dollars would do the trick…I felt defeated. Having oil without a running furnace equals no heat. That’s all that made sense to me. Before hanging up the phone, the voice on the other end asked me, “Are you a volunteer at the Housy Dome in Housatonic?”
I said, “Yes, sir, I am and have been for some years now.”
He paused for a moment and then said, “We appreciate your commitment to the community, and we will pay for your service fee!”
With uncertainty, I said, “Are you serious?”
He replied, “Yes, and thank you for your service. ” I followed up with a huge “Thank you. I am blessed!”
I don’t believe in luck or coincidences, but I do believe in good karma and the lord’s grace. I believe whatever you give will always return to you in abundance.
How We Warm Up The Winter: J’s Story It was the coldest weekend of the year. I woke up freezing in the early hours of Saturday morning. I touched the heater in our bedroom. The metal was cold. I checked the thermostat, and the temperature read 39 degrees. I turned the heat switch on and off, and I heard the furnace engage, but all I felt was cold air. I went to the sink and turned on the hot water…nothing. I looked down at my wife in bed with the covers up to her neck. I then saw our bunny rabbits huddled side by side, clearly discussing what was obvious to them…there was no heat. Then came the stomach punch from my conscience, as I realized I had not checked the oil tank in a while.
I’m out of oil, I thought.
Being forgetful is one thing, but as a father and a husband, not being able to provide is a slow death. I suddenly felt sick, and then the panic kicked in.
Heat assistance was limited this year, and I didn’t have enough extra money for the minimum of a hundred gallons of oil you have to purchase before delivery. It’s the coldest weekend of the year, and it’s Saturday, when most places are closed for assistance, including oil delivery. So for the rest of the weekend, I boiled water on the stove to add some heat back to the house.
The hours dragged, and the days were long as Monday morning slowly rolled around. I called a few places for assistance. BCAC, Neighbor to Neighbor, 18 Degrees, Salvation Army. All to no avail.
I called John B Hull Oil and told them my situation. The phone operator was compassionate, but he let me know that there are a lot of people in the same situation as mine, and there’s a list of “1st priority” even with the money up front for the hundred gallons. As someone in remission from cancer, I haven’t been able to work much this year, and my beautiful wife has been taking care of everything.
With no answers or a solution to move forward, I had one last idea: to call Construct.
DONATE
Construct is a nonprofit in Berkshire County that helps those with housing-related needs. Not knowing what to expect, I called and left a message. I got an immediate callback from Ms. Kate Coulehan, Construct’s Housing Navigator.
Kate was kind and compassionate, and she helped give me reassurance that, whatever the problem, we would figure it out. She assured me that I had called the right place. I talked, and Kate listened. After the conversation, Kate informed me that she would be pushing my emergency situation to her supervisor, Courtney Kimball. Within a couple of hours, Kate called me back and said that her supervisor would process my emergency request for an oil assistance payment immediately. I felt the goose bumps and a warmth that engulfed my body with emotion. I was so grateful.
Excitement overcame me when John B Hull arrived at my house to deliver our oil. It had been a long, cold weekend, and a light was finally breaking through the dark clouds.
So now I had oil but still no heat. I called my landlord, and he said to me, “Not having oil is one part of the problem, but the other part is that the furnace has to be serviced in order for it to restart”. I called John B. Hull and asked them how much the service fee was. He told me $120.00 dollars would do the trick…I felt defeated. Having oil without a running furnace equals no heat. That’s all that made sense to me. Before hanging up the phone, the voice on the other end asked me, “Are you a volunteer at the Housy Dome in Housatonic?”
I said, “Yes, sir, I am and have been for some years now.”
He paused for a moment and then said, “We appreciate your commitment to the community, and we will pay for your service fee!”
With uncertainty, I said, “Are you serious?”
He replied, “Yes, and thank you for your service. ” I followed up with a huge “Thank you. I am blessed!”
I don’t believe in luck or coincidences, but I do believe in good karma and the lord’s grace. I believe whatever you give will always return to you in abundance.
We are fortunate to have a service like Construct with kind and compassionate human beings who care about others. We are all connected, no matter the color, race, or gender.
Thank you, Kate Coulehan, for being my voice of reason. You are at the right place, and your presence is needed.
Thank you, Courtney Kimball. You continue to lead with grace. I myself and this community appreciate you and Construct.
Also, I would like to say thank you to JOHN B HULL and staff for your service and empathy.
One thing I have learned in life is that no one person can do it alone, and we are stronger together as a community!
With the Need Greater Than Ever Before, Construct Inc. Starts Its Annual Warm Up the Winter Campaign
The Berkshire Edge / Shaw Israel Izikson
“For 19 years, Construct Inc. has held its Warm Up the Winter campaign to raise funds for the local nonprofit’s programs. This year, the need is greater than ever, according to Executive Director Joey Lindstrom, as more residents struggle to pay for heat and utilities.
“When it comes to the current situations South County residents are facing, there are two things that are really important to be aware of,” Lindstrom told The Berkshire Edge. “The first thing is that there hasn’t been any increase in federal support through the Low Income Heat and Energy Assistance Program. The support that many people rely on through subsidies have not gone up. There was also a delay in that funding getting out to residents in need because of the prolonged government shutdown that recently happened.”
“The other thing is that costs for electricity, fuel, and other utilities have all gone up considerably,” he said. “It is very clear and obvious that this is one of the coldest and more severe winters that we’ve experienced in Berkshire County in many years. The need is rising in many ways, and the federal subsidy support has not been rising to meet these needs. That presents a gap that Construct needs to fill through our Warm Up the Winter campaign.”
Construct provides affordable housing and supportive services to 17 towns in Berkshire County. Its programs include emergency financial assistance, rental assistance, help with transitional housing, and microloans for fuel and utility bills, security deposits, and other various costs relating to housing.
Last year’s campaign aimed to raise $125,000, but because of increased need, Lindstrom said the organization has raised its goal to $150,000 for this year’s campaign.”
Joey Lindstrom Joins Construct as Executive Director, Bringing National Housing Expertise to the Berkshires
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2025
Great Barrington, MA —Construct, South Berkshire County’s nonprofit leader in affordable housing, has named Joey Lindstrom as its new Executive Director after a national search.
“I’m excited to join the team at Construct,” said Lindstrom. “The staff and board have a strong track record of providing housing solutions for vulnerable populations and essential workers in our region. Housing affordability in small towns and rural areas is often overlooked, but Construct has approached this challenge with creativity and determination. My goal is to strengthen the organization’s foundations and policies to expand its impact in the years ahead.”
In October 2025, following Jane Ralph’s decision to step down as Executive Director, Construct’s Board of Directors retained Peter Gray Executive Search. After careful consideration of many qualified candidates, Lindstrom was selected as the organization’s next leader.
Betty Farbman, President of Construct’s Board, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Joey Lindstrom as Executive Director. He brings a wealth of experience in housing justice and leadership, and we are confident he will guide Construct to its next chapter of growth and impact.”
Lindstrom has held leadership roles in the housing justice movement for 25 years. Most recently, he served as Chief of Program Development for Housing at the Rhode Island Department of Housing. Prior to that, he was Director for Field Organizing at the National Low Income Housing Coalition. He has received the Public Citizen of the Year award from the Wisconsin chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award from Community Shares of Wisconsin. Lindstrom is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq.
Lindstrom will officially join Construct on January 5. He and the staff and Board of Directors have been working closely to ensure a smooth transition.
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Media Contact: Betty Farbman President, Board of Directors, Construct bettyaf1979@gmail.com
Construct Awarded $750,000 from the State’s Underutilized Properties Program for Cassilis Farm Housing Development
Great Barrington, Massachusetts – November 7th, 2025. Construct, a South Berkshire County nonprofit providing affordable housing and support services, has been awarded $750,000 through the Underutilized Properties Program (UPP), part of the Commonwealth’s Community One Stop for Growth initiative.
The funds will support Cassilis Farm, Construct’s planned development in New Marlborough that will transform a long-vacant property into much-needed housing for working families and individuals.
“We are so grateful for this program,” said Construct’s Director of Operations, Hillary Howard. “Cassilis Farm has stood empty for years. With this investment, we can bring it back into use as housing for people who need it most.”
About the Funding The Underutilized Properties Program, administered by MassDevelopment, provides grants to help restore, redevelop, or repurpose underused, abandoned, or blighted properties. The $750,000 award to Construct will fund development costs needed to transform Cassilis Farm into 11 affordable apartments.
About Cassilis Farm Construct plans to convert the historic Cassilis Farm estate into modern, energy-efficient apartments for low income households. Once completed, the project will expand the availability of workforce housing in southern Berkshire County, where demand far exceeds supply.
About Construct Construct is the only affordable housing nonprofit of South County that supports people through every stage of housing, from homelessness to homeownership. We provide over 80 affordable housing units and 10 transitional rooms for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Our services include rental and fuel assistance, emergency motel stays, microloans, and housing navigation. Whether someone is in crisis or planning for long-term stability, Construct offers compassionate, practical support. Through strong partnerships with local organizations, municipalities, and statewide coalitions, we work to remove barriers and build pathways to housing security for all.
Media Contact: Sammye Keeling 413.320.8549 skeeling@constructberkshire.org
— The Berkshire Edge / Shaw Israel Izikson, October 24, 2025
Both the president and vice president of Construct’s Board of Directors said the organization is looking to see its current housing projects through rather than take on new ones until it finds a new executive director to take the helm.
Former Construct Inc. Executive Director Jane Ralph, who stepped down from her role in late August, at a party held in her honor by the organization. Construct is beginning its search for a new executive director. Photo by Shaw Israel Izikson.
Great Barrington — Two months after Jane Ralph stepped down from her executive director position at Construct Inc., the nonprofit organization has started its search for her replacement.
The organization provides affordable housing and supportive services to 15 towns in Berkshire County.
Ralph took on the position of executive director in 2016 and oversaw multiple projects during her tenure, including an affordable housing project at Forest Springs in Great Barrington and the county’s first co-living workforce housing at The Windflower in Egremont.
Ralph was the third executive director to lead the organization, which was founded in 1969.
In late July, Ralph announced she would be stepping down from the organization by the end of August and relocating with her partner to Madison, Wis.
In early October, the organization announced that its board of directors had hired Peter Gray Executive Search of Madison, Wis., to conduct a national search for a new executive director. “The reasoning for hiring an executive search firm was because we had a long-standing leader in Jane Ralph, and many changes have taken place in the organization since she took the helm almost 10 years ago,” Construct Board of Directors President Betty Farbman told The Berkshire Edge. “We want to have a fair and open process in finding a new executive director, which is why we decided to hire a search firm.”
Farbman said that the organization grew substantially under Ralph’s leadership. “When Jane came on board, we only had one full-time employee,” Farbman said. “Now we have 12 employees, separate departments, more properties, and a very different organization. We need an executive director who will be a guiding light for the mission and vision of the organization, and we need to make sure that our day-to-day operations support that.”
Farbman explained that the organization is looking for someone “who can help our mission of making housing affordability a reality in South Berkshire County.” “We need someone who can see our mission and work with our staff, strategizing to our best advantage,” she said. “We also want someone who can communicate well within the community, works well with other organizations, and can work with our funders. Someone who knows how to communicate with the community is important because Construct is an outgrowth of the community, and we need to continue the very strong support that we have received.”
The organization approved a strategic plan in December 2024, Farbman said. “The strategic plan does not call for new housing projects, but it calls for completing the projects that we already have on the boards,” she said. “One of which is completing the Cassilis Farm Project in New Marlborough.”
In 2024, the organization purchased Cassillis Farm, and in July 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration’s 2024 Affordable Housing Development program awarded a $3.1 million grant to the organization to help construct and subsidize 11 units on the property.
“There are a lot of things going on in the world right now, and I think it’s important for us to shore up what we have rather than look for other big projects on the horizon,” said Board of Directors Vice President Lisa Beede. “We are holding the fort in the interim while we search for a new executive director. We are not going to make any big changes without that person on board.”
For more information: Betty Farbman, President, Board of Directors bettyaf1979@gmail.com
Great Barrington, MA — The Board of Directors of Construct, the leading nonprofit housing organization in the South Berkshires, has announced a national search for the organization’s next Executive Director.
After the recent announcement of Jane Ralph’s decision to step down as Executive Director, Construct’s Board of Directors retained Peter Gray Executive Search to conduct a national search. The position is now posted and accepting applications. The Board’s goal is to fill the position by February, 2026.
Construct is seeking an Executive Director who is passionate about its mission and can lead the organization with excellence. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Construct’s operations, including fundraising, program development, financial management, and staff supervision.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced leader with strong knowledge of nonprofit management and fundraising, affordable housing, and rural poverty issues.
Betty Farbman, the President of Construct’s Board of Directors, said: “As we begin this search, the Board is committed to finding a new Executive Director who will carry forward our mission of creating and sustaining affordable housing in the Berkshires. Our next Executive Director will inherit a strong organization, a dedicated team, and a community that believes deeply in the importance of safe, affordable housing for all.”
Founded in 1969 by local residents, Construct is the leading nonprofit housing organization in the South Berkshires. Construct helps its neighbors in 17 towns across south Berkshire County, Massachusetts stay housed and safe by offering affordable housing, rental and fuel support, temporary motel stays, transitional housing, and hope.
Construct Executive Director Jane Ralph to Step Down After Nine Years of Leadership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 31, 2025
After nearly a decade of leadership, Jane Ralph will step down as Executive Director of Construct effective August 29, 2025.
“This was not an easy decision,” said Ralph. “My partner and I have called Berkshire County home for years now, and I am so proud of our work at Construct. However, the past year has been a time of reflection for us. After facing some family health challenges, and looking at where things stand in the world, we have decided that being close to relatives should be our main priority, so we are relocating to Madison, Wisconsin”.
Since assuming the role in 2016, Ralph has led significant growth in Construct’s services, including support to help people remain in their homes, temporary housing for families, the development of new affordable housing at Forest Springs in Great Barrington and the county’s first co-living workforce housing at The Windflower in Egremont. Under Ralph’s leadership, Construct has also expanded its housing navigation services for individuals and families facing housing insecurity.
When Ralph became Construct’s 3rd Executive Director nine years ago, they were the only full-time staff member. This August, they’ll leave behind a strong and committed team of eleven full-time and two part-time employees. Throughout their tenure, they have been a tireless advocate for fair wages and staff support, always focused on creating a work environment where people feel valued and can do their best work. They’ve also helped build a diverse, hands-on board of directors and a vibrant community of volunteers who care deeply about Construct’s mission.
“We’re all grateful for Jane’s leadership over the past nine years,” said Board President, Betty Farbman. “They’ve led with a lot of heart and a strong commitment to our community. Thanks to Jane, Construct is in a great place. We have a clear vision, a strong team, and a solid foundation to build on.”
Ralph will work closely with the Executive Committee in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and to ease the staff and board into this next phase. The board of directors has formed a search committee for a new leader and will soon post the position for potential candidates to apply.
“I have full confidence that Construct will continue to thrive after my departure,” said Ralph. “And I am so grateful to all who have supported our work during my time here. Your support has truly made all the difference in our ability to provide affordable housing and housing support to our south Berkshire neighbors.”
An event will be held to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Ralph and her team over the past nine years. The event will take place on Tuesday, August 19th at 11 AM at Construct’s main office located at 316A State Road, Great Barrington, MA.
Community members and partners are invited to attend. Please RSVP here.
For more information about Construct and the upcoming leadership transition, visit: www.constructberkshires.org.
Construct Meets Attorney General Andrea Campbell to Discuss Affordable Homeownership in the Berkshires
PRESS RELEASE July 21, 2025
Becket, MA — On Wednesday, July 16, Construct welcomed Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell to its recently renovated property in Becket to highlight the promise and potential of affordable homeownership in the Berkshires. The visit presented the opportunity to explore how innovative programs, such as the state’s receivership initiative, can help address the region’s growing housing crisis.
Photos courtesy of Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office.
At 50 Dawn Drive in Becket, what was once an abandoned and unsafe property has been transformed into a new opportunity for homeownership. Through the Commonwealth’s receivership program, the original structure was demolished and replaced with a newly built modular home. Now under contract with a local buyer from Becket, the property will soon provide safe, stable housing for a local household. This marks Construct’s second receivership project in Becket and highlights the potential of turning neglected properties into much-needed affordable homes that strengthen the community.
“We were honored to host Attorney General Campbell and share how this program helped bring a home back to life,” said Jane Ralph, Executive Director of Construct. “This is what affordable homeownership can look like in rural communities.” During the visit, Attorney General Campbell toured the property and met with Construct staff and Becket leadership to discuss opportunities for future receiverships. They also discussed barriers to homeownership in western Massachusetts, including the shortage of affordable inventory and the challenges of sustaining rural housing development.
Media Contact: Sammye Keeling 413.320.8549 skeeling@constructberkshire.org
