JRI Leader in Social Justice
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Linda Gowen, BS Paralegal, Assistant Director of Educational Advocate

Linda Gowen has a B.S. in Paralegal Studies from UMass Boston and has been with JRI for 18 years. She has worked as an advocate for students with special needs for over 30 years and has been a member of the Human Rights Committee for the ARC of Northern Bristol County for 10 years.

Linda consults with several programs within JRI to help them traverse the special education system. Informally, she assists parents with navigating the Department of Developmental Disability System during the evening.  She has given numerous trainings regarding special education to other agencies as well as within JRI.

Linda took a break from advocacy for 3 years and worked as a litigation paralegal with in-house attorney’s for a dialysis company. She continues to keep herself updated on all the changes within the State and Federal Law regarding special education and takes numerous workshops as they become available.

Linda Gowen

@JRISocialJstce

JRI Service Navigator

Do you have a question about JRI services?

(508) 468-6042
navigator@jri.org
Rachel Arruda

Rachel has been a part of the JRI team since January, 2000. For over 20 years, Rachel has been working in the field of human services assisting families with accessing and navigating services. Rachel received her Bachelors degree in psychology and Masters Degree in Public Administration from Bridgewater State University. She was promoted in July 2005 to Family Networks Program Director where she closely worked with the Department of Children Families for 10 years ensuring that children and families received the highest quality of individualized services ranging from community based through residential care. Rachel is very dedicated to helping the individuals she works with and is committed to improving the lives of children and families. Rachel’s passion for creative service programming inspires her in her role as JRI Service Navigator.