Curt’s Café Appoints New Executive Director, Tanya Jenkins
The Board of Directors of Curt’s Café has promoted Tanya Jenkins to the position of Executive Director.
Curt’s Café Appoints New Executive Director, Tanya Jenkins
The Board of Directors of Curt’s Café has promoted Tanya Jenkins to the position of Executive Director. Jenkins, a former Curt’s Café Board Member, assumed the responsibility of Interim Executive Director on January 2, 2024. For the past 7 months, Jenkins has succeeded in getting the café operations and training functions on track, while making enormous progress in setting the stage for the continued growth and sustainability of the organization.
“Tanya’s deep commitment to Curt’s and her extensive background make her a perfect fit to continue to lead our organization,” says Rick Marsh, President of the Board of Directors. “Tanya’s proven leadership abilities as a former officer of the Evanston Police Department and former Curt’s Cafe Board member, coupled with her passion for our mission and willingness to work hard, positions her for taking our organization to the next level. Our Board unanimously approved her promotion to full time Executive Director.”
Curt’s Café is a workforce life skills training program whose mission is to improve the outcomes of young adults living in at-risk situations through work and life skills training.
“I am honored to take on this new role. I have always been a strong advocate for second chances -and in some cases, a first chance. Curt’s mission is dear to my heart, and I look forward to supporting our students’ successes,” says. Jenkins.” My goal is that all students that complete our program will successfully enter the workforce with the skills to succeed in a multitude of positions with confidence, commitment, ambition, professionalism and gratitude.”
About Tanya Jenkins: Ms. Jenkins has served on Curt’s Board of Directors since 2019, including serving on the Board’s Executive Committee for the past three years. She has an extensive background in community safety, youth mentoring,
community organization, and business strategies. Ms. Jenkins has a Master of Jurisprudence in Children’s’ Law and Policy, is a Certified Juvenile Officer, and has a certification in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership.
community organization, and business strategies. Ms. Jenkins has a Master of Jurisprudence in Children’s’ Law and Policy, is a Certified Juvenile Officer, and has a certification in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership.
About Curt’s Café: For the past twelve years, Curt’s Café (Curt’s) has been a beacon of hope for young adults living in at-risk situations. Curt’s currently operates two cafés in Evanston and Highland Park (Illinois), each serving the full range of barista-style coffee drinks, as well as breakfast and lunch items and catering services. The Cafés serve as the primary setting for Curt’s workforce education program, providing life skills training, extensive wraparound social services, and job training and placement to Curt’s students. Additionally, Curt’s provides individual student support for completing educational needs, whether that means completing high school, receiving a G.E.D. or starting college. After graduating from the program, students are offered ongoing support, including post-placement support, and often return for additional mentoring.
Students who participate in Curt’s programs are young men and women, ages 15 to 24, from Evanston, Lake County and the Greater Chicagoland; students are often in significant at-risk situations, facing multiple barriers to gaining critical skills leading to full-time employment. Many are housing or food insecure, single parents, and/or have had contact with the judicial system.
They are often referred from local high schools, social service agencies, or other nonprofits. Students thrive by participating in a multifaceted three-month program, which includes learning to work in multiple café capacities. While participating, students receive a stipend to support themselves and their families. As members of the Café staff, students learn far more than culinary techniques; they are provided with an individualized, needs-based plan designed to move their lives forward in positive directions, gain confidence, and become job-ready. As importantly, Curt’s programs are focused on building community and a sense of social inclusion for students, founded on restorative justice principles.
Curt’s Café’s success lies in not only restoring youth to the community, but community to youth. Programs are overseen by, among others, café managers who run each café’s operations and provide job training and trained social service providers. Since its founding twelve years ago, Curt’s innovative programming has empowered more than 550 young adults. In 2024, the two Curt’s Café locations will serve 80 or more young adults. Curt’s Café’s success is reflected not only in the number of youth served, but in dramatically reduced recidivism rates for participants. For young adults who cycle through the court system, 86% of those released are sent back through the system within 3 years. By stark contrast, for students participating in Curt’s programs the recidivism rate is only 5%. Curt’s Café is a 501(c)3 organization.
Cafe locations:
2922 Central Street, Evanston, IL. 60201
1766 2nd Street, Highland Park, IL. 60035
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Contact: Rick Marsh, Board President
[email protected]. 847-563-0577