Featured Staff – Jessica Chambers

Jessica (Jess) was the youngest of three girls born to John and Ellen Woods. She was born in Philadelphia, PA, but moved to Oklahoma City, OK, when she was a year old. They rwlacated to St. Louis, MO, when she was five years old. She attended Catholic school from first to third grade. Just before her fourth grade year, the family moved to Kansas City, MO, and Jess started going to public school. She was not happy to be going to public school at all.
Growing up, Jess loved reading. She’d read anything she could get her hands on. She also enjoyed horseback riding. As she started middle school, she got involved in high adrenaline activities like rock climbing and skydiving. She also took scuba diving lessons at the YMCA in St. Joseph. She got her certification at Table Rock Lake.
Her senior year, she went to France and Spain with her parents. They had friends over there. They drove from France, which Jess wasn’t fond of, to Spain, which she loved. Jess graduated from Park Hill High School in 1995. She attended Maple Woods and got her associates degree in elementary education. Jess had started working at the before and after school care program while still in high school. After a few years of dealing with parents, she decided not to continue persuing her degree in education.
After college, she went to Key West, Florida, and got her scuba certifications in Deep Sea diving, Shipwreck diving and Night diving. She is only one certification away from a Master Diver.
Jess spent a year living and working in Dallas before returning to Kansas City. She got a job working at Pete and Mac’s, a doggie day care. She took care of the animals and almost trained them.
In 2004, she met Nick Jones. They dated for about 4 years before marrying in 2009. However the marriage only lasted for a year.
Jess’ dad was diagnosed with cancer and so she moved back home to help take care of him. He passed away February of 2011.
Jess worked as a pharmacy technician for Eckerd’s Mail Order pharmacy for eight years. Then she worked for CVS for a year. She met Shane Chambers while working at Forward Air Solutions as a manager. They dated for about a year and married in September 2016.
The couple has moved between parents’ homes taking care of ailing parents. They are currently helping take care of Shane’s father. Jess is looking forward to them getting their first house. They hope to start fostering with plans of eventually adopting.
Debbie Trojan is a family friend of the Chambers and mentioned that Westbrook was hiring. Jess decided to put in an application. April and AJ interviewed her and the rest is history. Jess joined the staff in June of 2021 as a daytime float .
Jess loves working here at Westbrook. It makes her happy to be able to help both the staff and residents. She finds it fulfilling to be able to put a smile on someone’s face. She also loves working with Rick and Fred. She says they are hilarious.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and reading.