A Story of Peace: Jill’s House Featured on the We’re Good Podcast 

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Are you ready for some good news? We have some! A new podcast series called “We’re Good” highlights people and organizations doing good work in the DC area. It is hosted by Lee Ann Necessary Brownlee, a longtime friend of Jill’s House.

Today “We’re Good” released a new podcast about Jill’s House, which features Kelly Speck, a longtime Jill’s House mom and accomplished author, along with our CEO Joel Dillon.

Take a listen here: We’re Good Podcast Episodes or wherever you choose to find your podcasts.

“Covered in Peace”

Kelly’s son, Bennett, has been coming to Jill’s House for many years. She shared that when Bennett comes home from Jill’s House, he is “covered in peace.” She also said it’s “nothing but love” that he receives at Jill’s House. We can’t think of a better articulation of our hopes for the impact of Jill’s House on kiddos and their families. And that peace isn’t a gift of Jill’s House. It is a gift of God. And it is a privilege to be a conduit of that peace.

We are thankful to all those who help make this possible. Will you join us? Please consider coming alongside us. You can sign up to be a volunteer or make a financial gift today. We are eager to bring this life-saving experience to more families! You can make it happen.

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Faithful Volunteers: The Heart of Jill’s House 

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It’s April 1 and do you know what that means? National Volunteer Month is here, no joke!

At Jill’s House, we provide rest, renewal, and relationships for families raising kids with intellectual disabilities. Through our overnight respite programs, kids experience adventure, joy, and connection, while parents receive the priceless gift of rest. None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers, whose dedication and selflessness make every camp weekend possible. 

Honoring Our Windy City Volunteers 

Recently, at our Windy City camp, our Chicago-area location on the shores of Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, we had the privilege of recognizing a remarkable group of volunteers who have dedicated countless weekends to serving Jill’s House families. 

As a small token of appreciation, we gave them matching Jill’s House sweatshirts—a simple way to express our gratitude. But the truth is, no gift could ever fully capture how much they mean to us. Their unwavering commitment has made an incredible impact, not just on the kids they serve, but on the families who depend on these weekends for rest and renewal. 

Dedicated Volunteers, Lasting Impact 

Across all of our Jill’s House camps, volunteers give their time, energy, and love to the kids and families we serve. They don’t just stop by for a few hours—they commit entire weekends to ensuring every kid feels celebrated and free to be themselves. 

Their impact goes far beyond supervision. Volunteers laugh, play, and encourage, helping kids try new experiences and celebrating their victories. Whether it’s cheering them on as they zip-line, guiding them through creative projects, or simply sharing a meal, they bring warmth, kindness, and unwavering support. 

As one volunteer shared, “My favorite thing about Jill’s House is meeting and connecting with all the campers! It’s so important for the campers’ families and the campers to experience respite and camp.” 

Extraordinary Commitment, Life-Changing Results 

The dedication of our volunteers is truly humbling. At Windy City, some have given 10, 11, even 17 weekends to Jill’s House—totaling hundreds of hours of service. One extraordinary volunteer has committed 19 full weekends to ensuring that kids experience joy and parents receive much-needed rest. 

These volunteers sacrifice time with their own families so that others can rest, recharge, and experience peace. Their selflessness doesn’t just impact the kids; it transforms entire families, offering relief to parents who carry the weight of round-the-clock caregiving. 

We Can’t Do This Without You 

To every Jill’s House volunteer: Thank you. For every smile, every hug, every game played, every moment of kindness—you are the heart of Jill’s House. 

But we need more people like you. On this first day of National Volunteer Month, will you take the next step and sign up to be a volunteer at Jill’s House? We need volunteers at all five of our camp locations across the country.

Make a difference in the lives of families raising kids with intellectual disabilities. Your partnership can mean the world to Jill’s House kids and their families!

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Jill’s House: A Life That Inspired a Movement 

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Born on this day in 1992, Jill Solomon brought great joy to her parents and three older brothers. But at just three months old, she had her first seizure. What began as a tremor quickly became daily, life-altering episodes. She lost abilities she once had, including her ability to speak. Doctors gave little hope, and her family’s world changed overnight. 

Yet, Jill’s life became a testament of faith. Brenda Solomon, Jill’s mother, cried out to God, asking for strength and that her family’s suffering would have a purpose. That prayer would be answered in ways she never imagined. 

The Birth of Jill’s House 

Caring for a child with disabilities is a labor of love, but it can also be isolating, exhausting, and overwhelming. Parents give everything to ensure their child is safe and supported, often at the cost of their own well-being. The Solomons soon realized they weren’t alone—countless families were facing the same struggle. 

Then, a single conversation changed everything. 

Brenda met a woman named Mary, who introduced her to the idea of respite care—a place where kids with disabilities could experience adventure, joy, and friendship while parents got the rest they desperately needed. The vision was simple but profound: a safe, loving space where families could find both relief and renewal. 

That vision became Jill’s House. 

A Haven for Families 

What started as an idea has now become a lifeline for thousands. Jill’s House is more than respite care—it’s a place of belonging, joy, and peace. Kids who might otherwise feel isolated experience friendship, adventure, and laughter. Parents who rarely get a moment to breathe finally have time to rest, reconnect, and restore their strength.

For many families, Jill’s House is the only place where they feel truly understood and supported. Over the years, it has provided hope, healing, and even faith to those who walk through its doors. It all started with one child’s life—and now, it’s transforming so many others. 

A revitalizing new hope is described by Rebecca, mother of a teenage son with disabilities, who shared “I have felt a sense of belonging that I haven’t experienced since our son was born. We are recharged in so many ways by Jill’s House. But knowing we’re part of a bigger community who loves us and sees our son as a gift from God has been the biggest blessing to me.” 

Be Part of the Story 

At Jill’s House we believe every family deserves rest and every child deserves joy. Your support ensures that more kids experience adventure and more parents find peace. 

Will you help change a family’s life today? Please consider taking the next step by signing up to volunteer or making a donation today.

 

 

We’re Growing: Welcoming 30 New Families in 2025! 

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Backdate to January 2, 2025

As 2025 begins, Jill’s House is expanding in ways that will change lives forever. In just the first few months of this year, 30 new families will walk through our doors and experience the life-changing impact of Jill’s House for the first time. 

For many of these families, this will be the first time they have ever spent a night apart from their child with a disability. It will be the first time in years they can go on a date, enjoy a special activity with their other kids, or simply sleep through the night without worry. These simple moments—things most take for granted—are profound gifts for these parents.

A family’s first visit often starts off a bit nerve-wracking, but quickly brings great joy and peace. As one Jill’s House mom shared about her son’s first visit last year, “We were so nervous! We let him take his phone so he could text us at any time. The first night, he sent us a text saying, ‘Good night. I love Jill’s House!’ We were so excited. The next day, he ignored us!” Another mom gushed that her child experienced “nothing but love” at Jill’s House. Parents can relax knowing that their kids are having a ball in a safe and loving environment.

A Place Where Kids are Celebrated 

At Jill’s House, kids are not just cared for—they are celebrated. They experience joy, laughter, and connection in an environment designed just for them. Every visit brings new adventures, friendships, and unforgettable experiences, while their parents receive the priceless gift of rest—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

But Jill’s House is more than a respite program. It is a place of love, where families experience hope—not just in words, but in action. Here, they are seen, known, and deeply loved. It is a place of belonging.

You Make This Possible 

None of this would happen without staff who care deeply, volunteers who serve selflessly, and donors who give generously. Because of you, Jill’s House continues to grow, welcoming more families into this community of love and renewal. 

Help Us Reach More Families in 2025 

We don’t want to stop at 30 families—we want to open our doors to many more this year. But we can’t do it alone. 

Will you be part of this story? 

Your gift provides rest for exhausted parents, joy for kids, and hope for families who need it most. Your generosity ensures that more families find peace, more kids are embraced, and more lives are transformed.  Will you make a donation today to help us serve more families in 2025?

 

The Card Family

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Jill’s House has been our saving grace!!

McKenna, now 13 years old, has been enjoying the love and care of Jill’s House for seven wonderful years. The quarterly weekend visits, day camps, and school night program have become a cherished part of her life and ours. It’s a space that brings her immense joy and provides her with opportunities to engage in activities she loves, which can be hard to find for someone with her unique needs.

McKenna is non-ambulatory, non-verbal, and has sensory processing challenges, which make social settings particularly overwhelming for her. These challenges don’t just affect her; they ripple through our family life. Socializing, spending time with neighbors, or building new friendships often feels out of reach because McKenna can easily become overstimulated. This is why Jill’s House is such a blessing—not only for her but for all of us. While McKenna is at Jill’s House, we savor the rare opportunity to connect as a family in ways that aren’t always possible. Whether it’s going out to dinner, catching up with friends, or planning a special sleepover for McKenna’s brother, the time is precious and deeply restorative.

Though McKenna is non-verbal, she’s incredibly expressive, and her excitement for Jill’s House is unmistakable. She literally screams with joy when it’s time to go. After each of her visits she loves sharing her Jill’s House report with her classmates at school. It’s a source of pride for her and a way to connect with her peers.

McKenna’s love for Jill’s House extends to the activities she enjoys most there. She adores the water, so pool days are always a highlight. She also thrives on movement, whether it’s swinging on the playground or exploring the indoor play spaces. Even at home, she finds joy in watching the Jill’s House YouTube channel and Instagram stories. Her smiles while watching those videos speak volumes about how much she treasures her time there.

Jill’s House is more than just a place; it’s a safe, nurturing, and comforting sanctuary that blesses our entire family. It’s a rare and invaluable resource that we don’t take for granted. The care and love McKenna receives there have made a profound difference in her life and ours. We are deeply grateful for Jill’s House and the impact it has had on our journey.

The Anderson-Page Family

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Told by Pam Anderson

Born on the 25th of December 2007, Steven was a Christmas baby. He was placed with us when he was merely 6 months old. He was such a tiny baby—weighing only 6 lbs. when he arrived. Back then, I never could have imagined how radically he would change my life. He may not be my biological child, but I think of him as a precious gift.

At 9 months old, Steven was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and we were able to get him into early intervention services. He went on to see different therapists and doctors. Over these last 2 years, he has had to undergo several surgeries. He has had bilateral hip surgery on both hips, developed contractures, has had to have surgery on one leg, and is about to have his other leg operated on this summer. He can no longer use a walker and is now primarily bound to a wheelchair. It has been hard, but he is a beautiful child and is taking on these challenges as well as he can.

Steven is very verbal. He speaks in phrases and can put words together to form sentences to tell you exactly what he wants and what he doesn’t. He is also very polite and charming, but he can be a pistol with me. I guess that’s what makes him a typical teenage boy.

I learned about Jill’s House many years ago through a friend on Steven’s T-ball team. I don’t know why it took me so long to inquire about it, but I’m so glad I finally did. I guess it’s because we as parents and guardians are so hesitant to send our special needs child into the care of someone else. We worry about our children and whether they will be all right or not. However, after observing Steven’s first weekend at the Rocky Top Weekend Adventures Camp, I wish I had enrolled him earlier!

Steven has now participated in the camp twice. As he was getting ready to go this last time, I heard him repeat to himself, “Make new friends.” As we arrived at the camp’s entrance, he rolled his window down and called out to his friends. It’s obvious that he loves the camp very much. When I picked him up at the end of the weekend, he went on and on about ziplining, water activities, and horseback riding. Yes, Steven went horseback riding! Who could have thought?

 

What I love the most about Jill’s House is that Steven can participate in various activities, and he is not made to feel limited in his ability. So many people are available to help each child experience all the activities, so if it was going to take 4 people to help Steven enjoy horseback riding, then that’s what they were going to do! One camp counselor told me, “Although Steven might forget about me, I will never forget about him.” In all honesty, I doubt Steven will ever forget how special the camp made him feel.

I suppose Steven would say that his favorite thing about camp is being able to see his friends. After all, being a special needs child can be very isolating; you can’t just run down the street and play with your friends. However, while at the camp, Steven gets to spend the entire weekend with his friends.

Since Steven is not my biological child, some people like to tell me just how good I am to be caring for him. What they don’t know is that he is the one who has been a blessing to me. He is a very special young man. I’m sure he would love to get up and run, but, unfortunately, that is never going to happen. I see him as a child sent by God, and I am committed to doing everything I possibly can for his sake.

Today, society has become more inclusive of kids and even adults with special needs by offering spaces for them to engage in a variety of activities; however, there is still a long way to go. Jill’s House does a beautiful job of helping these kids. I am so grateful for Jill’s House!

Thank you for making stories like Steven’s possible.

The Schaupner Family

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Told by Lindsey & Daniel Schaupner

Having a child with special needs was not something for which we had prepared. When Alex was born and the doctor told us she had Down syndrome, we didn’t know what to expect. It was a scary time! Being a family with a special needs child. Well, that was for other families. But that quickly became our family, too!

After Alex was born, our doctor gave us resources for our family. We were able to access support almost right away and enroll her in early intervention services. My OB suggested that I reach out to Jill’s House for support as Alex grows older, which was the first time we had heard about Jill’s House.

When Alex was around 18 months old, she contracted RSV and had to be hospitalized for 10 days. She was in the RSV unit of the ICU, where there were several other children with Down syndrome. RSV greatly affects kids with Down syndrome, and we learned that we could no longer enroll her in daycare because she kept getting sick so often. The hospital staff provided our family with additional resources, and that’s when we heard about Jill’s House again.

Since we were no longer able to enroll Alex in daycare, we had au pairs live with us, which allowed our whole family, and especially Alex, to build strong relationships. Although she was not enrolled in daycare to learn social skills in that setting, she thrived at home with au pairs who truly embraced her.

We became close with one au pair and later traveled, as a family, to Germany so we could visit her. We do a lot of things as a family, and our trip to Germany was special. Alex doesn’t just go along for the ride. In many cases, she IS the ride! While in Germany, she was more enthralled with castles and food than with history. We all enjoyed that trip so much that we were able to cater our trip to meet the interests of Alex — German food and cool castles!

When Alex turned five years old, we began the process of enrolling her at Jill’s House. The intake process took some time, but we wanted to be sure she was ready by the time she was the right age to go. We had family friends whose children had been going to Jill’s House and loved it. We knew Alex would enjoy it as well, and we couldn’t wait for her first stay! Alex is now 10 years old and loves staying at Jill’s House. She can be herself, enjoy time with her peers, and get a break from us! We truly appreciate the break, but Alex also receives respite when she is at Jill’s House. Jill’s House is her thing, her domain, and a unique experience for her!

Alex currently spends about three-fourths of her school day in a typically developing classroom, which amazes us! We know that many years ago, kids like Alex would not have been afforded these types of opportunities. The fact that she can have relationships with typically-abled kids is such a blessing. When we watch Alex interact with her classmates, we see that they genuinely enjoy her company. They may not completely understand Alex, and Alex may not completely understand them, but they know how their friendship makes each other feel. We cherish these moments when she interacts with friends at school, in our neighborhood, and at Jill’s House.

After school, Alex often meets a friend, and every time they see each other, Alex says “I know that girl from Jill’s House!”. The connections and friendships established through Jill’s House have made such an impact on all of our lives!

According to the form that comes home with Alex after her stay at Jill’s House, her favorite activities are swinging on the playground swings and swimming in the indoor pool. However, she is beginning to understand how to participate in a conversation. When we asked her what she enjoyed during her stay at Jill’s House, she immediately shared the weekend menu. She loves the chicken nuggets and fries!

Alex is a joy! We are grateful that Jill’s House recognizes how special Alex is, as much as we do. We are incredibly grateful for Jill’s House, not just for our family but for other families like ours as well!

Thank you for making stories like Alex’s possible.

The Perez Family

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Told by Coleen R. San Nicolas-Perez

The day Joaquin was born was one of the happiest days of my life. Holding my child for the first time filled me with indescribable joy. I gave birth to a darling, sweet, and perfect baby boy, and life at that moment was … well, it was blissfully perfect.

All the nesting I did beforehand, all the motherhood books I read, and all the stories I heard from moms of typical children did not prepare me to be the mother of my special son. Nothing really prepares you for that moment when a doctor sits you down and says the word “autism”.

Joaquin was almost 3 years old when he was diagnosed with autism. Before that, he was thriving, even excelling in some areas. He would easily match picture cards before the age of 2, and boy! he did babble nonstop while doing his best to articulate words. He could recite the alphabet and count to 100. More importantly, my dear son had a special sparkle in his eyes.

That began to change after his second birthday. He wouldn’t respond to his name, constantly walked around in small circles, and stopped making eye contact. What was heartbreaking was that he became very quiet—barely a whisper.

That sparkle in his eyes quickly disappeared. He was a shell of his former self, lost in a world I couldn’t penetrate as much as I wanted to.

It took many years of therapy, tests, school meetings, advocacy, prayers, and a lot of hard work on his part to get to where he is today.

He is considered non-verbal, although he does verbalize a handful of words. The popular word he says these days is “cheeseburger”, which is one of his favorite foods. He can write his name and trace other words. He knows how to make the sounds of many animals. I find it adorable, even today, when he says “moooo”. He can point at objects and usually says “that one”. He doesn’t read or write, but we know he is super smart.

Joaquin turns 17 soon. My little baby boy is no longer little and far from being a baby, but in many ways, he still is.

Several years ago, Joaquin was also diagnosed with intellectual disability. His IQ cannot be determined because he is unable to be evaluated using a standardized test. Even with modified tests, the data shows he is way below average in comparison to those of his age and those much younger than him.

Every year, we go through the data with his schoolteachers, and every year, I am left with an ache and void in my heart and soul. It is difficult to put into words how exactly it feels when educational professionals, across the table, basically tell me every year that my darling, sweet, perfect child is far behind where he needs to be. No parent wants to hear this, but many do.

My family’s story is not unique. As I write these words, I know there are thousands of moms and dads out there who are trying to do their best for their children with special needs. I also know that somewhere nearby, a mom is learning for the first time that her child is autistic. According to the CDC, 1 out of 36 kids are diagnosed with autism. That’s not a typo. 1 out of 36.

Data after data. Tests after tests. Results after results. This is a tough life. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. This life has pushed me to the edge and will continue to do so. What keeps me and my husband going is and will always be Joaquin—our perfect child.

He is the sweetest young man you will ever meet. A gentle giant, many have said. When this boy loves, he does so with his whole heart and being. He is kind and respectful, and oh boy! Is he resilient? … more resilient than his independent, career-oriented mommy, that’s for sure.

He enjoys going to school and being with his classmates and teachers. He is all smiles and hugs when I pick him up after school, probably because we often grab a yummy treat on the way home.

Joaquin can also be impatient, vocal, and demanding, which he gets from me. As for his sunny disposition and good looks, he gets that from his daddy who happens to be my childhood friend and husband for 25 years.

As hard as this life may be, I would not want to be on any other journey. I am absolutely in love with my autism family.

Not only are we an autism family, but we are also a Jill’s House family. We joined Jill’s House a few years ago. In the beginning, I was very reluctant and nervous for my non-verbal son to spend a couple of nights under the supervision of strangers.

The first time he went to Jill’s House Blue Ridge camp, I was convinced the staff and volunteers would call me in the middle of the night to pick him up. There was no way he would want to stay. Plus, there was no way the Jill’s House staff would take care of him the way he needed to be cared for.

I was wrong. I was completely and utterly wrong.

That first weekend, the Jill’s House team never called. They did, however, texted me a few photos of Joaquin to reassure me that he was doing fine. He was more than fine. The pictures showed him smiling, laughing, and having as much fun at camp as he should, as any teenager should.

Fast forward to today, Joaquin now walks into camp as if he owns the place. If I could read his mind, I am pretty sure he says, “Hey, sup fam!” to every Jill’s House staff member and volunteer as he settles in for a fun, safe, and positive weekend.

Jill’s House is a place of “rest, renewal, and relationships for kids with intellectual disabilities and their families.” For me and my family, Jill’s House is also about saving lives, because that’s what they do. The founders, staff, board members, fellows, volunteers, sponsors, and contributors of Jill’s House save lives … and they bring life back into families.

Note: Coleen R. San Nicolas-Perez is employed with the Department of the Navy. The opinions stated in this editorial do not reflect that of nor is an endorsement by the U.S. Navy.

Thank you for making stories like Joaquin’s possible.

The Ver Hage Family

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Told by Kristy and Rich Ver Hage

Shane was born in 2010 and before his first 2nd birthday, he was diagnosed with Autism. Shane is now 12 years old, and such a great kid!

Recently, Jill’s House Weekend Adventure Camp came to our area, and it has made us and Shane so happy.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, his world stopped, just like everyone else’s. Around the time things started opening back up, he fell sick with Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). In 2021, he didn’t feel well, developed brain inflammation, and started having seizures; his behavior had changed completely. Almost overnight, he went from being an active kid to not being able to walk for even five minutes without pain. It was such a shock to witness how aggressive PANS was, and how quickly it had taken control over his body.

We worked with our doctors for a long time to diagnose his condition and identify the right treatment for him. He feels much better now, and we are working really hard to help him regain his strength and energy. Due to PANS, he developed anxiety, so the Weekend Adventure Camp was very important for him! We were nervous about taking him to camp, but when we saw that volunteers who were part of our church were also going to be there with him, it put us at ease.

As much as we needed the weekend, he needed camp even more. We were so happy to learn that he climbed the rock wall! The encouragement and cheers he received motivated him, and he made it all the way to the top. He was so proud of himself for that accomplishment.

Shane attends a wonderful school, and he participates in a special needs Sunday School class at church. His world is pretty small. We know that he wants independence, but it’s hard. When he was at camp, he was independent and could do what a typically abled 12-year-old kid gets to do.

When it was time to pick Shane up on Sunday afternoon, we were so emotional and happy to see him. He was happy to see us, too. During camp, he received love, attention, and care. It was a truly special time.

Having a child with special needs is often a journey where you feel alone. We are very grateful to the many people who spent their weekend with Shane so that we could feel human again. It was amazing and a real blessing.

Shane kept saying, “I want camp,” for many days after the weekend. He has also taken on a new love of rock climbing, which we get to enjoy at a local indoor rock-climbing gym. We are so grateful for Jill’s House and look forward to many years of more weekend camp experiences. Thank you, Jill’s House, for coming to New Jersey!

Thank you for making stories like Shane’s possible.

The Edelbrock Family

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Told by Laura Edelbrock

Before Emma was born, my husband and I both had full-time careers in music. I was a high school music teacher, and he had served with the US Army Band for 35 years. Then in 2000, God gave us Emma! We knew before she was born that she would have Down syndrome, and when she reached puberty, we learned that she was autistic as well. We moved from a lifestyle of practice, performance, and perfection to this lovely life we now have with Emma, which we like to call the real life!

 

When I was six months pregnant, we found out that Emma would be delivered in this beautiful package, and for the next three months we embarked on a journey to prepare our lives and our hearts for her. But we spent many sleepless nights worrying about the future of our family. One such night, when I just couldn’t seem to fall asleep, I decided to read the Bible, knowing that was where I would find the comfort my heart longed for. I was reading a passage in Luke about the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. This was a story I had read often, but that night, I heard God’s voice clearly speaking to me.

The two disciples were talking to each other, despondent, when they were met by a stranger. The stranger asked them, “So, what are you talking about?” They simply responded, “We had hoped for something different.” I had to stop reading. That was us! We had hoped for something very different with our pregnancy and with our family. But then as I continued to read the story, I was reminded that the stranger on the road was the risen Christ. Jesus had come for the brokenhearted. He had come for us! My heart cried out, and I started weeping. I looked down at the Bible, my vision so blurry that I couldn’t even make out the heading of the section I had just read—“On the Road to Emmaus.” Through my tears, I saw the word “Emmaus” split into “Emma” and “us.” God had given us her name, and I knew in that moment that we were exactly where we were supposed to be.

Emma was born on a beautiful snowy day. We could feel the peace around us, and on our ride home from the hospital, we felt the need to stop at our church, where we found our pastor in his office. We had been surrounded with love and understanding during our pregnancy, and that afternoon, with our pastor, we dedicated Emma and our life to the Lord.

We knew that from that moment on our lives would be radically different, and for 23 years, God has not stopped writing our story into a memorable tale.

Emma started attending Jill’s House in 2014, but it took us a long time to get to that point. In my mind, I thought Jill’s House was for families who had children with different needs than ours. However, as Emma approached puberty and we began facing new challenges, we were encouraged to reconsider Jill’s House. Not just for Emma but for us!

We cautiously moved forward with our decision. Our intake meetings were successful, but we were unsure how Emma would respond to staying overnight in a new place, away from us. We worked with our intake team to create a “social story” of Jill’s House on her iPad, uploading pictures and videos of the different rooms at Jill’s House and then inserting her own picture into those rooms. The story helped us introduce her to Jill’s House and all the activities she would participate in while staying there.

 

When Emma’s first visit arrived, we still weren’t sure how her time away from us would pan out. Would we get a call in an hour or late at night? We never received a call, and when we picked her up at the end of the weekend, she was so happy. The staff kept thanking us for allowing them to spend the weekend with her! After a few more overnight stays at Jill’s House, she would barely wait for the car to come to a complete stop before jumping out and running into the building.

The blessing of Jill’s House goes far beyond Emma’s overnight stays—they continue in the form of family retreats, Bible studies, women’s retreats, and marriage retreats. Now that Emma is 23 years old and out of school, we have established relationships with other parents who are in the same situation as we are. We encourage one another and share resources.

Emma is nonverbal, but she is incredibly expressive, so daily maintenance can get busy and jumbled. That’s where Jill’s House blesses us the most! God led us to Jill’s House—a place that lets Emma do what she loves the most while allowing us the time to rest. She would return to a quiet and peaceful home, and rejuvenated, we would be able to completely dedicate our time to her.

Our story took a big turn, but God was so good to prepare us for it, and he continues to keep us close. Emma is such a blessing to our family and to others around us, and through Emma, we have been blessed by Jill’s House.

Thank you for making stories like Emma’s possible.