Our Story

Good Men Health Co. was founded by S. Denise Jefferson, a Licensed Social Worker, Certified Duluth Domestic Violence Group Facilitator, Certified Parenting Facilitator through Nurturing Parenting Programs (NPP), and a devoted advocate for healing, accountability, and generational change. With over a decade of experience working with children, families, and justice-involved individuals, Denise’s mission has always been deeply personal.

She grew up witnessing the painful effects of domestic violence in her home, and in 2008, she lost her best friend to a domestic violence homicide. That tragedy changed the course of her life and ignited a lifelong passion: to break the cycle of trauma through education, compassion, and systems of support that meet people where they are.

Denise earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Grambling State University, her Master of Social Work from Capella University, and is now pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work. Since 2012, she has dedicated her career to empowering individuals—particularly men and young males—through domestic violence prevention, parenting support, anger management, and healing from trauma. Denise has presented research on generational abuse, recidivism, and the impact of trauma on children at regional conferences and continues to work alongside families, probation systems, schools, and community partners.

As a facilitator and therapist, Denise has worked with youth and families through DCFS, school systems, juvenile courts, reentry programs, and nonprofit agencies, providing direct services that restore hope and reduce harm. She founded Good Men Health Co. in 2023 to expand this work with a bold vision: to change the way we support men and boys—before, during, and after their involvement with systems of accountability and care.

In May 2025, the doors opened for in-person services. And with that, a new chapter began.

Denise is joined by her husband, Damien Jefferson, Client Engagement Manager, Certified Master Life Coach, and Motivational Speaker. Damien brings lived experience, powerful insight, and deep empathy to every interaction. His current research focuses on the persistence and success of first-generation African American male college students, shedding light on what helps young men not only survive—but succeed.

Together, they offer programs that are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and deeply human—tailored for both adult men and teenage boys between the ages of 13 and 18. Services include domestic violence prevention, teen accountability and respect groups, fatherhood and parenting support, anger management, life and employment readiness coaching, and mentorship. These services are offered in group settings at different times appropriate for youth and adults, with a focus on equipping participants with real-life tools to succeed in their relationships, families, and communities.

We currently work in partnership with key referral sources, including juvenile and adult probation and parole, DCFS, Volunteers for Youth Justice, Project Celebration, the District Attorney’s Office, and the NWLA Reentry Coalition. We are actively working to expand into correctional facilities to offer domestic violence prevention programs to incarcerated men prior to their release, with plans to receive state funding to support this initiative.

In the near future, we will also launch a mentorship program specifically for teenage boys, develop a nonprofit arm dedicated to supporting men and boys who have experienced the loss of their mothers, and offer support groups for men who are veterans or military affiliated. As our clinical capacity grows, we plan to expand into therapeutic services including individual, marriage, and family counseling for men and teenage boys, with the goal of accepting Medicaid and private insurance through a licensed Clinical Director.

At Good Men Health Co., we believe that when men and boys heal, families thrive—and when families thrive, communities are transformed. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, probation officer, caseworker, or someone searching for a place to begin again, we’re here to walk with you toward lasting change, growth, and restoration.