He's a gay, ordained minister who works with gay and straight couples at one of the most trying times in their lives: when a divorce is on the horizon.
John Hassey, a reverend by title, is a family mediator, with a one-room, second-story office along Clark Street in Andersonville. He sees three couples per week, sometimes more, often for 80 or 90 minutes per session. And each couple visits seven or eight times on average.
"I love my job," Hassey said. "Often, when the couple arrives [ at my office ] , there is an incredible amount of tension. By the time they're leaving [ the office ] , sure, they're still getting divorced, but they're friends again."
Hassey said couples bring their children to the sessions too, at times.
"The most rewarding part of my job comes when there are young kids involved [ in the divorce ] ," Hassey said. "It's rewarding to be able to help the couple resolve their conflict, work out the practical details of their divorce decree, and give them the skills to resolve future conflicts on their own, so they don't have to keep coming back.
"I want my business to rely on referrals, not repeat business."
Hassey starts his mornings with a 30-minute meditation session. He also meditates and prays before every couple arrivesto calm himself, he said.
"If I'm not centered, calm and focused, I won't be a benefit to my clients," said Hassey, who also attends several networking events per week.
"What I do is family mediation, not family therapy," he said, "and it's definitely also needed for gay couple that are divorcing, especially when the couple shares real estate, debts, or has children. At that point, what I'm doing for a gay couple is the same as for a straight couple."
STATS
Name
John Hassey
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Age
34
Relationship status
Dating
Sports
Is a Green Bay Packers fan, "by law," he said, laughing. "I have to be [ being from Wisconsin ] ."
Hobbies
Kayaking, hiking and camping
It's a fact
Grew up on
a farm just south
of Milwaukee