Jessica Hansen & Jeffco Prosperity Partners

Jessica Hansen Q&A

Q: You describe Jeffco Prosperity Partners as a community, not just a program. Can you share more about that approach and why it’s essential to JPP’s mission?

Jessica Hansen: We see ourselves as a community because what we’re building goes beyond services or programs. We’re creating a safe space for families to connect, learn, and grow together. For many of our families, life can be chaotic or stressful, and having a stable community they can rely on is beneficial. When they join JPP, they’re not just receiving resources — they’re joining a network of people who are committed to growth and each other’s well-being. It’s a place where they’re accepted as they are.

We offer classes around boundaries, managing conflict, parenting, and finance. Through these classes, families can connect and work together on their similar goals and connect around their experiences. JPP hosts monthly dinners that include: new learning opportunities, connection, child care, and meals for the entire family. Families can use this time to strengthen relationships with other members, learn new information, and connect with families who have similar goals or barriers they are committed to overcoming. The connections built through the program will follow the families long after they have graduated from the JPP program. 

“Family meetings are a nice chance to have the feelings of community. Living in poverty, there are many times I feel unseen by the greater community.”

(JPP Participant, Family Participation Survey, 2024)

Q: JPP focuses on helping participants achieve milestones, big and small. Why is that so important?

Jessica: Overcoming generational poverty takes time, so it’s important to celebrate every milestone along the way. Whether it’s achieving housing stability, enrolling in college, starting a new job, earning a promotion, paying off debt, or buying your first home, each of these moments deserves to be celebrated. For many families, these achievements represent significant progress after facing so many challenges, and recognizing small wins helps keep the momentum going. It is also inspiring for other JPP members to hear, as it shows what’s possible and motivates them to continue working toward their own goals.

Q: JPP’s model has an impressive economic impact on the families you serve. Can you explain what that impact looks like?

Jessica: Economic impact, to me, is about more than just numbers. It’s about creating lasting change in people’s lives. When families increase their income, improve their credit scores, pay off debt, or buy a home, they’re not just making financial strides; they’re building a foundation for future generations. On average, families increase their annual income by $34,000 after three years in the program. This is a cumulative impact of $3.4M in economic growth in Jefferson County in just one year.

Q: How does JPP help families address mental health and other personal needs that often go unaddressed in traditional programs?

Jessica: Long-term stability begins with well-being and that starts with meeting families where they are. Mental health is not one-size-fits-all. Each person’s experience is different, which is why we take an individualized approach to support. Many families have a history of trauma or have had negative experiences with mental health services in the past. We understand that healing starts with reducing stress and building a sense of safety and stability.

Before anything else, we focus on the basics: helping families meet their immediate needs so they can begin to think beyond survival. From there, we work together to understand how mental health is affecting their lives and goals. As families begin to stabilize, we talk about what kind of support will help them make progress. That might mean therapy, but not just any provider. We help each person choose care that fits their unique needs, values, and comfort level.

Q: How do you balance the daily work of supporting families with a vision for systemic change?

Jessica: It’s definitely a balance. Daily work keeps us grounded—our families’ experiences give us real insight into how systems actually work for those most impacted. Too often, human services overlook the value of relationships and listening. But at JPP, family feedback drives everything. It helps us understand what’s working, what’s not, and where change is needed.

I love being close to the people we serve because their stories fuel our work. And we know real change happens when leadership listens to those with lived experience. That’s why we stay in conversation with county leaders and advocate for more person-centered, responsive systems.

During the pandemic, Jefferson County’s Executive Director of Human Services reached out to JPP to better understand families’ immediate needs. That level of trust and collaboration has continued. The county has since embedded “Family Voice” into its guiding principles and regularly connects with JPP to learn, shadow, and improve services. They even backed the launch of myfriendben, recognizing the impact it could have for all residents struggling in Jeffco. It’s proof that when you center families, real systemic change becomes possible.