Wherever the action is, that’s where you’ll find Jessica Hirsch. Joyful, courageous and passionate, Jessica loves being around people and hearing their stories – and that’s exactly what she gets to do as alumni coordinator at The Ranch. Drawn to The Ranch by the program’s holistic approach and distinguished staff, Jessica waited a year for the perfect opportunity to arise at The Ranch. When she joined the team she says she felt like she “walked into a family that welcomed [her] home.” “I am an advocate of helping people help themselves, which is what treatment at The Ranch is all about,” she says. “The whole-person approach, which takes into account each person’s mental, physical and spiritual health, makes The Ranch a truly special place.” Jessica’s background as a teacher at the YWCA and admissions director at a private non-profit high school in Atlanta equipped her with many of the skills she draws upon at The Ranch. For 10 years, she has coordinated events, receptions and open houses and worked to improve communications between diverse groups of people with different needs. At The Ranch, Jessica coordinates all alumni events, including monthly meetings, weekend retreats and annual celebrations, and oversees alumni relations. As someone on her own personal journey of recovery, the environment at The Ranch is one where she can be her authentic self and still do what she loves. “Our alumni deserve to have someone be their cheerleader, someone who is inspired and excited about what they’re doing and who can help them build a support network,” says Jessica. “The alumni group is a place they can turn if they need help or guidance, as well as a place to celebrate their new lives in recovery.” A native of upstate New York, Jessica moved to Mississippi at the age of 13 and went to boarding school in New Hampshire. After living in Atlanta for 12 years, she recently moved back to Nashville, where she finally found the quiet pace and quiet living she craved. In her free time, Jessica enjoys photography, hiking and spending time with her cats.
