Gena C. Jefferson, LCSW, has over 20 years experience working with youth and families as an educator and clinical social worker in the New York City Dept of Education. She began as a teacher for students with special needs, and after 10 years of teaching, she sought her MSW. As a social worker in the public schools, grades K-12, she has held positions such as School Social Worker, Dean, Academic Interventions Coordinator, District Liaison, Director of Student Support and Staff Development Facilitator.

Ms. Jefferson supported several public schools with attendance improvement research/ program planning, as well as, crisis/bereavement planning.

Dedicated to the professionalism of this field, Ms. Jefferson has trained Social Work interns since 2002 from graduate schools including Adelphi and Fordham Universities. Ms. Jefferson has also served as a clinician in the field of foster care and LGBTQ youth services. She facilitates empowerment workshops for teens and families. She is a certified facilitator for Motivating The Teen Spirit, an international self- development and training company providing emotional healthiness programs for teens and their families. She was spotlighted in the “Dignity of Children” newsletter April 2009 for her work with “Motivating the Teen Spirit”.

As an ordained Interfaith Minister, Rev Gena Jefferson leads the “It’s All About YOUth” Ministry at Sacred Center New York.

She received a B.S. in Performing Arts from Brooklyn College, a MSW from Fordham University, a M. S. in Special Education from Long Island University, and a M. S. in Educational Administration from Touro College.