Federation Hires New Facilities Associate

Ben Barwick brings a wealth of hands-on experience and a can-do spirit to his role as Facilities Associate at the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley. A lifelong resident of St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties, Ben is a true jack of all trades, having worked in fields ranging from bicycle mechanics and general construction to education and disability support services.

His diverse background includes roles as a window and door technician, paraeducator for middle school students with IEPs, and support staff for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This wide-ranging experience has equipped him with a practical, problem-solving mindset and a deep appreciation for community-focused work.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys gardening, building creative and functional projects—like a smart sprinkler system for his vegetable garden and a treehouse for his daughters—and diving into imaginative worlds through writing fantasy fiction and running Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. He and his wife Kaely have been married for 16 years and are proud parents to Mae (9) and Lydia (6).