ABOUT THE FOUNDATION | (back)

Staff Members and Qualifications

Sheila M. Merry, Executive Director
Immediately prior to becoming Executive Director of the Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, Ms. Merry was a Senior Research Associate with Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago where she was involved in research on juvenile court practices, child welfare, youth development programs, community supports, and community-building initiatives. She served as Project Director for the Illinois Court Improvement Project’s assessment of Juvenile Court practices related to child protection in Illinois. She also served as Project Director for a process evaluation of the Chicago Community Trust’s Children, Youth, and Families Initiative. Before joining the Chapin Hall staff in 1993, Ms. Merry spent over 15 years involved in the provision and administration of child welfare services, with a particular emphasis on services to severely emotionally disturbed adolescents, and teen mothers and their children. Her efforts were twice formally recognized. In 1984, The Harbour, where she was Executive Director, received the Beatrice Corporation’s Award for Administrative Excellence and, in 1986, she was chosen to receive The Chicago Community Trust’s Community Service Fellowship that honors leadership and service within the not-for-profit community. Her involvement in child welfare includes substantial experience within the Cook County Juvenile Court and includes a gubernatorial appointment to the Illinois Juvenile Justice Advisory Council. Ms. Merry earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development at Northwestern University and her Master of Arts Degree from the School of Social Service Administration (SSA) at the University of Chicago.

Jennifer Jones , Associate Director

Ms. Jones brings to the JAJCF a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector.  Ms. Jones enjoys the grant & program management opportunities afforded her by her employment at the JAJCF.  Ms. Jones has reorganized and streamlined office systems and instituted several financial management policies.  She was pleased to secure the Foundation's first federal grant. She has bachelor degrees in Sociology and Geography.

Note: The JAJCF staff is modest in size. It is our intention to use outside organizations to undertake some aspects of the work of the Foundation and to hire consultants as needed to assist us in our work. Given the finite nature of the Foundation’s mission, we would prefer to create the capacity within the Cook County Juvenile Court and among the communities it serves to take on the activities of the Foundation, rather than create a large Foundation staff.