Ernest & Gloria Jenkins
Linda Zabors
Ernest “Ernie” & Gloria Jenkins were founding members of the Westside Association for Community Action (WACA), a community development corporation since 1973. The group serves the Lawndale neighborhood and provides juvenile justice intervention for at risk youth, and food for families. Ernie was CEO of WACA until 2009
Ernest served in the US Air Force. Ernest and Gloria worked as a consultants in market research and human relations and sensitivity training. Ernest became Executive Director of Programs for West YMCA: Austin and Southside YMCA, and in 1971 joined the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to organize community self-help groups. He has won numerous awards for his service.
Gloria was a social worker at Chicago Youth Centers (CYC) and led a program for at-risk teenage girls. She was Executive Director of Urban Programs West YMCA and later served various roles at YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. She served in an advisory capacity for multiple organizations promoting African-Americans and women.
Veteran: Ernest - US Air Force
Alum
Ernest: Aurora University (formerly George Williams College)
Gloria: Governors State University
Faith
Chicago Temple United Methodist Church
Honorary Mrs. Ernest & Gloria Jenkins WAY
West Ogden Avenue, between Central Park and Millard Street
Approved: March 2023
Ward: 24
Alderman: Scott
Neighborhood: North Lawndale
b. Ernest: Dec 30 1929. Mississippi
Gloria: in Chicago
d. Gloria: January 3, 2006
Ernest: January 2, 2018
Near: Westside Association for Community Action (WACA)
3600 W. Ogden
Source
2023986
IL-100-SR1294
IL-94-SR0566
https://wacanetwork.org/