Ronn Jeffrey has facilitated Climb parenting groups for almost two decades, working alongside Climb moms to foster lasting success in their children’s lives. Jeffrey, a licensed marriage and family therapist, is also a Juvenile Court Judge for Cheyenne’s Municipal Court. He has directed several youth programs and serves as a clinical supervisor for Colorado State University’s Center for Family and Couples Therapy graduate program.

Climb is a job training program, so why are there parenting classes?

Big changes happen in a mom’s life when she comes to Climb and gets a new job, and when one part of your life changes, it alters every other part of your life. It’s a cause-and-effect relationship that you see happen in a family when something shifts—in this case, moving from poverty into stable employment. So, there’s no point where parenting and work are separate.

How do you help moms grow their parenting skills?

I see Climb moms as the parenting experts in the room. They’ve survived a lot of hardship and are resilient and capable. They never planned on being at Climb—they expected life to go a different direction, and that might make them feel like they’re not parenting well. It’s hard to take a step forward if you think you can’t walk, so part of our journey together is helping them believe in their innate ability to be a good parent. We learn a lot from each other!

What is the most effective way to end generational poverty?

Generational poverty happens when there’s nothing that interrupts the cycle. You have to do something to change the narrative, and that’s what Climb does. Imagine diving off a diving board and not having a place to land. Climb gives moms a foundation underneath them. You can take a chance when you have someone to catch you. When a mom gets through Climb, she changes what’s going to happen next…for herself, and also for her family.