After six fabulous, dedicated years as Director of the Social Justice Center, Annie Kraus has stepped down to focus on other efforts.  Visitors, members, and partners of the SJC all know the tremendous impact Annie has had, guiding our community hub through renovations, pandemic years, and transitions into a new era.  Thank you to Annie for this remarkable service to justice in the Madison community, and we wish her well in the years ahead!

Now we welcome two new co-directors to continue the work: Alisha Jones and Becca Bedell!  Say hello to our new staff and stay tuned as we continue to grow and innovate our efforts to serve progressive organizers and our neighbors in need. Below, Alisha and Becca introduce themselves a bit, and reflect on starting in their new roles.

Becca Bedell (they/she), Associate Director of Operations

I’m honored to step into the profound opportunity and collaborative struggle happening at the Social Justice Center.  I come to the SJC from a background as a mutual aid organizer, poet, coordinator and volunteer in progressive faith spaces.

I’ve seen the importance of building strong partnerships among groups with complementary missions: sharing resources with our neighbors living both inside and outside, building worker solidarity, grassroots political organizing and more – all shot through with the universality of human dignity.  I am reminded by Robin Wall Kimmerer that “all flourishing is mutual.”  The SJC is already home to these and so many efforts for a better world, and yet there is always room to evolve.  I intend to steward these relationships and our shared physical space with thought and care.  And I’ll challenge myself to learn everyone’s name as I go! 

Outside work, I am often writing about life as a white, queer, trans person in recovery; making playlists; or going on day hikes.  If you see me in muddy field clothes, I’ve probably been doing native habitat restoration at Holy Wisdom Monastery.  I ask for grace and courageous optimism as we grow into our efforts together.  Thank you to my already-amazing co-director Alisha, and to the SJC for the trust to engage in meaningful work.

Alisha Jones (they/she), Associate Director of Development

Hi everybody! I’m Alisha, the new Associate Director of Development at the SJC. It’s with immense humility and gratitude that I join this community of dedicated social justice organizers. The mission we share—to effect change collaboratively—is so inspiring and important. My role here will be to help bridge understanding of the impactful work happening at the SJC and throughout Madison, hopefully empowering others to engage at their own pace and capacity.

Outside of my work at the SJC, I have been involved with Neighborhood House Community Center for several years. This experience has given me the opportunity to work with both youth and adults, through the variety of programs and services we offer; as well as, deeply influenced my understanding of community needs and the crucial role of accessible social services. Currently, I coordinate the arts and language-learning programs, and assist with the adults with disabilities club, which I thoroughly enjoy.

A bit about me: Originally from Texas, I moved to Madison to study at UW. While I began my academic journey as an engineering student due to my love of math, I eventually found my passion in cultural anthropology, a field that resonated deeply with its focus on understanding through direct engagement and proximity. This is one reason I pursue this kind of work.

In my down time, I like preparing meals with friends, getting outside as much as possible, reading good books, spending time on my many interests, and making art—usually a combination of doodles and ramblings. I also like to crumple paper and draw as many lines as possible. Anyone else? Lol.

Though these first few weeks have been a whirlwind, it has become clear that the SJC is a special place indeed. I am eager to see what the future holds! All I know for sure is that me and Becca are committed to supporting our member organizations, partners, and neighbors in every way that we can.