The Holsinger Family

Told by Jenny (mom) & Maddie

Watching those genuine connections grow—with both the staff and her peers—has been one of the most meaningful gifts Jill’s House has given our family.

We were thrilled when Jill’s House was being built and had the opportunity to tour it through our connection with McLean Bible Church. Even then, we knew it would be a special place and a unique opportunity for Maddie, who has autism. At the time she had a wonderful support network of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and her sister. Her days were full of family, friends, school, therapy, and activities, and she wasn’t ready to spend the night away from home.

As the years passed and Maddie graduated from high school, her support network naturally began to change as her sister, cousins, and friends headed off to college. She was ready for more independence, new experiences, and new friendships. When she learned she could spend a school night at Jill’s House with friends from her school program, she couldn’t wait to start. Four years later, it’s still one of the highlights of her month.

Ask Maddie what she loves most about Jill’s House, and she’ll answer immediately:

“Swings. Music. Seeing my friends.”

For her, Jill’s House isn’t simply a place to spend the night. It’s where she plays outside, rides a bike, sings karaoke, celebrates birthdays, and spends time with people she loves. The facility itself is thoughtfully designed, and that also plays a big role in helping Maddie feel comfortable and at ease there.

What makes Jill’s House especially meaningful are the relationships. Maddie loves talking with the staff. She asks about engagements, weddings, pregnancies, and what’s happening in their lives. They aren’t just caregivers—they’re friends. Just as importantly, they intentionally help her connect with the other overnight guests, encouraging conversations, shared activities, and new friendships. Watching those genuine connections grow—with both the staff and her peers—has been one of the most meaningful gifts Jill’s House has given our family.

Maddie always looks forward to telling us—and her sister, who now lives in Tennessee with her family—all about her stays, the people she spent time with, and the fun they had together. She usually sends us a text while she’s there to share something fun that happened. Then, the next morning, she walks out with what we affectionately call her “little entourage”—the care team who walks her to our car. Every single time, she comes out all smiles. During the weeks when Maddie isn’t going to Jill’s House, she’ll sometimes say the staff must be missing her, which is such a sweet reflection of how much she feels connected to them.

Maddie rarely spends the night away from us anywhere other than Jill’s House. That makes it incredibly special—not only to her, but to us.

Those evenings give us something every caregiver needs from time to time: the opportunity to recharge. Sometimes my husband and I enjoy a quiet evening together at home. Other times we have dinner with friends or reconnect with people we don’t often get to see. Whatever we choose, we’re able to fully enjoy that time because we know Maddie is exactly where she wants to be—safe, happy, and surrounded by people who care about her.

That peace of mind comes from trust.

Like many parents of children and adults with disabilities, we were naturally nervous about leaving Maddie somewhere overnight. But over the past four years, Jill’s House has earned our complete confidence. Every experience has been positive, and we’ve never had a reason to question the care she receives. When people ask whether we’d recommend Jill’s House, our answer is an enthusiastic yes.

The greatest gift Jill’s House has given our family isn’t simply respite—it’s watching Maddie find a community where she is known, valued, and excited to return month after month. She has formed wonderful friendships, gained confidence and independence, and found a place that brings her so much joy.