Elizabeth “Betsy” Jenkins has been named Center Manager of Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center and Theatre.
Well-known by those who come to the Center for its many programs and events, Jenkins has worked at Fleetwood-Jourdain for the past nine years, first as program
manager and more recently as interim center manager. She will assume her new role effective immediately.
Jenkins was hired after the City conducted an extensive search. Her years of recreational experience with the city as well as her background in administration and working with children made her the best choice, says Douglas J. Gaynor, Director of Evanston’s Parks/Forestry & Recreation Department.
“It is very gratifying to promote an outstanding employee who is clearly the most qualified candidate for this important position,” Gaynor said. “Betsy has always served the residents of Evanston with energy and insight, and now she will be able to do so at an even higher level.”
Hired in 1999 as Fleetwood-Jourdain program manager, Ms. Jenkins was responsible for developing and implementing programs for children, teens, adults and seniors. In particular, she built a strong after-school program and cultivated working relationships with local civic, business and social service organizations.
She also led the city’s free youth summer lunch program, which now serves approximately 30,000 lunches annually. As interim manager, Ms. Jenkins took on the additional duties of supervising all center employees and volunteers and managing the day-to-day operations of the center as well as those of the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre.
Jenkins holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Northeastern Illinois University and is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association as well as the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.
In addition, she is past president of the Illinois After-School Association. In 2006, she received the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Evanston NAACP.