About Us
Our StaffA team of experienced professionals dedicated to treating each person with compassion, care and dignity.
Dedicated to Service
Meet Our Team
Social Worker
Ashley Franklin, LCSW
More About Ashley →
Ashley’s experience encompasses program design, direct practice, and establishing community resources. In 2005, she became the first district wide Social Worker for Franklin Special School District and was there for 13 years. She developed and implemented the first district food pantry for the school system and was a founding board member of the NOOK (Needs Of Our Kids). She served as a member of several committees including Coordinated School Health, and WCS/FSSD School Safety Board. Another accomplishment is developing a partnership with a local animal shelter to enable adolescents to work with animals and develop better socio-emotional skills.
Ashley is an empathetic and compassionate social worker who takes a strengths- based approach to helping her clients. She connects and builds trust quickly with clients through her down to earth and authentic style.
She is intentional in her work with children, adolescents, adults and families. She implements Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as a Family Systems approach to help clients focus on their goals and overcome barriers in life.
Ashley enjoys working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, life adjustments, addiction, and marriage and family issues.
615-354-1662
Controller
Kevin Goughary
Kevin joined the JFS staff in late 2020, and possesses extensive financial experience in both nonprofit and corporate environments. Prior to working in the world of non-profits, Kevin led the finance department of EJ Footwear. At JFS, Kevin continues to utilize his experience to serve a greater purpose as the financial arm of the JFS team!
More About Kevin →
From its inception, Kevin directed all financial and operational functions of Soles4Souls, a charitable organization distributing shoes and clothing to people facing abject poverty or natural disasters–both locally and internationally. Subsequently, in co-founding a nonprofit with another Nashville professional, he continued to serve the needs of people in developing nations. That organization, ToolLife, provided tools and other resources to help create sustainable livelihoods through skills training.
615-354-1646
Clinical Director
Toni Jacobsen, LCSW
More About Toni→
Toni is a licensed clinical social worker and is the Clinical Director at JFS. She began her career in the mental health field in 1989 facilitating abuse prevention groups for children. She has worked with abused/neglected teenagers in a group home through the YWCA, as a Child and Family Therapist for The Guidance Center and as a Clinical Director at Camelot Cares before coming to JFS. Toni volunteered to serve on the Williamson County Child Fatality Review Team and to be a board member for First Steps. She joined Jewish Family Service in 2000 and provides a range of services to the Jewish and general community including counseling, family life education programs, financial assistance, adoption, support groups, as well managing the kosher food box, school supply and Hanukkah gift programs.
Toni has over 28 years of field experience with a wide range of populations and utilizes an eclectic approach including cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy with children, supportive and short-term problem focused therapy. Toni has expertise addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting issues, behavioral problems, dysfunctional families, marital discord, and divorce.
One of her passions is working together with individuals and families to address an issue that might be causing dysfunction in their lives. Sometimes we can control what is happening around us and can make positive changes while other times all we can do is survive the storm. Toni works with her clients to increase their ability to cope through teaching positive coping skills.
Toni enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, volunteer work and creating new things.
615-354-1672
More About Ashley →
Ashley’s experience encompasses program design, direct practice, and establishing community resources. In 2005, she became the first district wide Social Worker for Franklin Special School District and was there for 13 years. She developed and implemented the first district food pantry for the school system and was a founding board member of the NOOK (Needs Of Our Kids). She served as a member of several committees including Coordinated School Health, and WCS/FSSD School Safety Board. Another accomplishment is developing a partnership with a local animal shelter to enable adolescents to work with animals and develop better socio-emotional skills.
Ashley is an empathetic and compassionate social worker who takes a strengths- based approach to helping her clients. She connects and builds trust quickly with clients through her down to earth and authentic style.
She is intentional in her work with children, adolescents, adults and families. She implements Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, as well as a Family Systems approach to help clients focus on their goals and overcome barriers in life.
Ashley enjoys working with individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, life adjustments, addiction, and marriage and family issues.
(615) 354-1662
More About Kevin →
From its inception, Kevin directed all financial and operational functions of Soles4Souls, a charitable organization distributing shoes and clothing to people facing abject poverty or natural disasters–both locally and internationally. Subsequently, in co-founding a nonprofit with another Nashville professional, he continued to serve the needs of people in developing nations. That organization, ToolLife, provided tools and other resources to help create sustainable livelihoods through skills training.
(615) 354-1646
More About Toni→
Toni is a licensed clinical social worker and is the Clinical Director at JFS. She began her career in the mental health field in 1989 facilitating abuse prevention groups for children. She has worked with abused/neglected teenagers in a group home through the YWCA, as a Child and Family Therapist for The Guidance Center and as a Clinical Director at Camelot Cares before coming to JFS. Toni volunteered to serve on the Williamson County Child Fatality Review Team and to be a board member for First Steps. She joined Jewish Family Service in 2000 and provides a range of services to the Jewish and general community including counseling, family life education programs, financial assistance, adoption, support groups, as well managing the kosher food box, school supply and Hanukkah gift programs.
Toni has over 28 years of field experience with a wide range of populations and utilizes an eclectic approach including cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy with children, supportive and short-term problem focused therapy. Toni has expertise addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting issues, behavioral problems, dysfunctional families, marital discord, and divorce.
One of her passions is working together with individuals and families to address an issue that might be causing dysfunction in their lives. Sometimes we can control what is happening around us and can make positive changes while other times all we can do is survive the storm. Toni works with her clients to increase their ability to cope through teaching positive coping skills.
Toni enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, volunteer work and creating new things.
(615) 354-1672
Executive Director
Pam Kelner
Joining the organization in 2010, Pam’s business background combined with her “social worker heart” has made her a perfect fit for the role of Executive Director of JFS. She has helped the agency grow in many ways including developing new programming, grant writing, fundraising, marketing, and board development.
More About pam →
Pam graduated from Boston University with a BA in Marketing and Finance. Upon graduation, she began a 14 year career at Bloomberg Financial Markets in New York. At Bloomberg she held many different positions in the Sales and Marketing division ranging from management to conference planning, electronic trading and training for all new sales recruits. After moving to Nashville in 2005, she became certified to teach Pilates and owned her own business, @ Home Pilates, which offered private and small group Pilates lessons to clients either in their homes or in her home studio.
Pam currently serves on the board of Congregation Sherith Israel as Treasurer, Akiva School, AgeWell’s Leadership Council, inclusion tennessee, and serves as the Board Chair for the local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).
Pam was named a Women of Influence in Nonprofit Leadership by the Nashville Business Journal in 2019 and Nashville Pride Ally of the Year in 2022.
615-354-1644
Office Manager
Rita Nwedo
Bio coming soon
More About Rita →
615-356-4234
Helping Hands Program Coordinator
Jamie Maresca
More About Jamie →
In addition to working as a music therapist, she is also a Pilates Instructor certified in both mat and equipment. Jamie’s favorite population to work with is seniors, because of their rich histories and experience, and desire to share their stories with others. She is excited to coordinate the meaningful programs that JFS has developed for seniors in our community.
615-354-1686
More About pam →
Pam graduated from Boston University with a BA in Marketing and Finance. Upon graduation, she began a 14 year career at Bloomberg Financial Markets in New York. At Bloomberg she held many different positions in the Sales and Marketing division ranging from management to conference planning, electronic trading and training for all new sales recruits. After moving to Nashville in 2005, she became certified to teach Pilates and owned her own business, @ Home Pilates, which offered private and small group Pilates lessons to clients either in their homes or in her home studio.
Pam currently serves on the board of Congregation Sherith Israel as Treasurer, Akiva School, inclusion tn, Age Well’s Leadership Council, and serves as the Board Chair for the local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).
Pam was named a Women of Influence in Nonprofit Leadership by the Nashville Business Journal in 2019 and Nashville Pride Ally of The Year in 2022.
(615) 354-1644
More About Rita →
Coming soon…
(615) 356-4234
More About Jamie →
Before joining the JFS team in 2022, Jamie received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy from the University of Miami in 2004, and her Master of Arts degree in Music Therapy from the University of Missouri – Kansas City in 2006. She has worked as a music therapist in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and for hospice. She has taught college level music therapy courses and supervised music therapy clinical students. Her music therapy background is a huge asset to the Helping Hands: Dementia Enrichment program which utilizes both music and art to support individuals with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia.
In addition to working as a music therapist, she is also a Pilates Instructor certified in both mat and equipment. Jamie’s favorite population to work with is seniors, because of their rich histories and experience, and desire to share their stories with others. She is excited to coordinate the meaningful programs that JFS has developed for seniors in our community.
(615) 354-1686
Our comprehensive social services and programs are designed to enrich the whole person, enhance the whole family, and empower the whole community–no matter your age, race, religion, preference, identity, economic standing, or otherwise.
Life can be challenging, relationships can be hard, and you may need the extra support that comes with working with a therapist. Our licensed social workers offer counseling for individuals, couples, and families, as well as for children and adolescents.
Choosing to adopt a child, or to place a child for adoption, is a life-altering decision. We are a licensed child-placing agency in Tennessee with more than 40 years of experience in adoption services in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
Whether you need emergency financial assistance, such as help paying a utility bill or rent for the month, or material assistance by ensuring your children have gifts at the holidays, school supplies, or food supplements, Jewish Family Service offers this critical assistance in a confidential, compassionate manner.
Older Adult Programs & Services
We recognize that older adults are true treasures, and we strive to create and maintain a community that values and celebrates them for their wisdom, contributions, and experiences. Our programs and services are an important outlet for our older adults, encouraging them to be social and stimulated.
Life can be challenging, and knowledge is power. The Jewish Family Service’s Family and Community Enrichment programs serve to empower, protect, and address the ever-changing needs of the entire Nashville community.
Passionate providers of comprehensive social services, we are advocates, allies, educators, cheerleaders, and guides who create solutions to problems facing families and individuals of all ages.
We are a team of experienced professionals dedicated to treating each person with compassion, care and dignity.
A group of people with different backgrounds and perspectives who come together to help Jewish Family Service fulfill its mission and expand its reach.
We serve the people of Nashville and Middle Tennessee in many different ways. Here are a few of the human stories where JFS programs have made a tangible difference in people’s daily lives.
We’ve compiled a selection of items that we use frequently at JFS – in some cases every day.
The number of ways in which you can help support individuals and families navigate life’s transitions are endless.
Volunteers are a vital part of how we support our clients. Find opportunities to assist those in our community who need a helping hand.
Since our founding in 1853, the generous support of our community has made the work of Jewish Family Service possible.
Press coverage about JFS Nashville’s programing and services, learn about the history of the agency from our past newsletters, and enjoy reading original JFS content like our signature advice column, “Dear Esther.” Stay up to date with the impact we’re making throughout our community.
Check out the full calendar of upcoming JFS Nashville events. From community education, support groups, and special engagements alike, find out where you can show up and get connected.
Information & Referral Resources
Connect with our community partners. Our information and referral directory includes local and national resources that can provide additional support for addiction, mental health, and more.
Mental Health Matters is a JFS series that was designed to reduce the stigma of mental health issues by providing education, increasing awareness, and inclusivity. Check out our ongoing resources and past programming.
Need to know which pharmacies deliver? How to get a ride somewhere? Volunteer opportunities? The senior directory is the go-to resource for anything seniors might need related to the community.
How can we help? Send us a message, give us a call, or find us on social media. We usually respond within 1-2 business days.
