President
Jean Nesbitt-Matthew, LSW, MSW (jggmatth@yahoo.com)
Jean graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan in 1985 with
a BA in Psychology. In 2004, she earned her Masters Degree in Social
Work from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. Jean's social
work career spans 29 years; She is currently serving in the capacity of
District Manager of Child Protective Care Unit at the United States
Virgin Islands Department of Human Services in the St. Croix District of
the Division of Children and Family Services. She was the Social
Services Supervisor of the Virgin Islands Housing Authority for 20
years. She is married to George G. Matthew, Sr. and they have two sons,
George, Jr. and Jared. Her philosophy of life is to treat others the
way you would like to be treated. Jean has been a NASW-VI member since
2011 and has previously served as Vice President.
Vice President
Shana Brathwaite
St. Croix District Chair
Ada-Luz Rivera Flemming, LSW, MSW (adaluzrf@yahoo.com)
Ada-Luz has been a social worker for the past 26 years. She has been
working in the Juvenile Justice Division, Department of Human Services,
for the past 26 years. From 2004 to present, she has held the position
of District Manager of that Division. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in
Social Work from Oakwood College in Huntsville Alabama (1984) and
Masters of Social Work (2004) from Norfolk State University, in Norfolk,
Virginia. Ada-Luz has two children and has been married to Master
Sergeant Curtis Flemming for the past 27 years.
St. Thomas District Chair
Nisha Karese Jones, LCSW (nkaresej@hotmail.com)
Nisha attained her Bachelor of Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida in 2008, and
her Master of Social Work from Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida in 2009. To date, she serves
as a Readjustment Counselor with the Department of Veteran Affairs Vet Center program, where she provides for
the readjustment needs of combat veterans and their families. Nisha also commissioned as a 1LT with the Virgin
Islands National Guard February of 2015, where she serves as one of the Behavioral Health Officers in the
Medical Detachment. Nisha received formal training in numerous evidenced-based practices proven effective with
persons who experienced complex trauma including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy,
Cognitive Processing Therapy and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Nisha truly enjoys life in the Caribbean,
particularly the outdoors, and during her pastime she enjoys reading, nature trail hikes, meditation, and
practicing yoga with her daughter A’mya.
Member at Large
Yvonne Woods, PhD, LCSW
Yvonne Woods served four years in the United States Air Force where she was
trained in behavioral health science at the Academy of Health Sciences,
Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. She graduated cum laude from the
University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
psychology, and in 2004, earned a Master in Social Work (MSW) from
Norfolk State University. In 2009, she graduated from the Leadership
Education and Developmental Disabilities program, New York Medical
College, School of Public Health in Valhalla, New York. While she was
pursuing her academic interests, Ms. Woods worked simultaneously as a
licensed social worker at the Virgin Islands Department of Health with
adults with mental illness, and the St. Thomas Health Care Management,
Inc. with youth experiencing behavioral problems. From 2000 to 2005,
she worked with the Children, Youth, and Families Division at the V.I.
Department of Human Services, and in June 2013, retired from the Virgin
Islands Government as an assistant director with the Division of Mental
Health, Alcoholism and Drug Dependency Services. She went on to earn her
Ph.D. in social work from Norfolk State University in 2014. Ms. Woods
also writes on a variety of social issues through her guest editorials
in the local newspapers, and served for nine years as an Executive Board
Member of Workable, Inc., an organization that provides supported
employment for individuals with disabilities. She is the recipient of
many awards and recognitions, including the Air Force Achievement Medal,
the Nancy K. Byram Psychology Award, Golden Key National Honor Society
Lifetime Member, Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding and
Invaluable Service to the Virgin Islands Community, and in 2011, was a
Go Light Your World Foundation Honoree. Yvonne is mom to a son, Peter
Jr., and she currently serves as the president and executive director of
Street Works-VI , Inc., a non-profit organization she founded in 2011.
She continues to give back to the community through this venue.