By Brian Marchetti
After stepping away from BAPA a number of years ago, a familiar face, Sheri Jendra, has returned to fill the role of Office Manager.
“It’s great to be back,” Jendra said. “I’ve been here all of a week, but I’m selling lots of shirts and flags. I also keep track of donations and reach out to businesses that have let their memberships expire.”
She first worked with BAPA in 1993. Armed with a degree in Urban Development from Governor’s State University, she took on the role of Housing Coordinator. Her love for the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, where she has resided since 1988, fueled her passion to keep the area’s houses in good order.
As her family began to grow, she moved on from BAPA and took on other responsibilities. Jendra co-founded the not-for-profit Hands On Children’s Art Museum that was located on 103rd and Wood. After that, she served as site administrator for St. Barnabas’ Virtus program, eventually becoming the school’s assistant business manager and director of student services.
Jendra, and her husband, Kevin, have three children, Drew, Madeline, and Rachel. All three attended St. Barnabas School. Drew and Madeline both graduated from Marist and Rachel is in her senior year.
In her leisure, Jendra loves to spend time with her family, read, and travel. Jendra has been to Australia and just returned from Paris. She plans to make her way to Greece next.
She also has a passion for college basketball. She recently attended the 2023 Big Ten tournament where her son’s alma mater, Purdue, took home the title.
“It was so much fun,” Jendra said.
Though her children have mostly grown — Drew works for Boeing and lives with his wife in St. Louis and Madeline has a career as a physical therapist — Jendra and her husband have no plans to leave the neighborhood. They just bought their fifth house in the area and plan to move in this summer.
Her love of Beverly/Morgan Park and knowledge of the community will serve BAPA well … once again.
