Jestine Roper enlisted in the United States Army and served for 30 years retiring as Chief Warrant Officer 3. During her service in the military, she held various positions, including Telecommunication Center Operator, Army Communication Security Officer, Army Motor Pool Officer, and the Company Commander for Annual Training. Her following Units included 99th Signal Battalion (Floyd Bennett Field. Brooklyn), 343rd Combat Support Hospital (Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn), and 344th Combat Support Hospital (Fort Totten, Queens).

After graduate school, she received her Master of Social Work and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Ms. Roper worked in the field of Social Work with the Board of Education and various nonprofit organizations for over 40 years. She focuses on working with children, families and special education students as a Play Therapist within daycares and Board of Education programs/schools.

Ms. Roper is the Founder/Director of JES Good Rewards, Inc./Children’s Garden, a Brownsville Community GreenThumb Garden, focusing on providing environmental education programs for children, youth, adults, seniors, and community schools. It is also a GreenThumb Leadership Council and Summer Youth Employment Work Site for several providers within the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. The organization also provide community events throughout the year.

Currently, Ms. Roper is a member of Community Board #16 Veterans Affair Committee. She was very instrumental in the success of the first Annual Veterans Appreciation Day Parade held in November 2019 in partnership with Community Board #3. She collaborated with several military commands, community and youth organizations, bands, veterans’ organizations, and senior programs who were all participants in the parade.

She has a passion for working with people and advocating on behalf of children, youth families, and veterans. By utilizing her interpersonal skills, she has proven to accomplish whatever she sets out to do. Therefore, she will continue to work diligently ensuring that her community receives their fair share of resources.

Ms. Roper is the mother of three boys and has been a resident of Brownsville for over 50 years.