Celebrating National Volunteer Week

/in , /by

Happy National Volunteer Week!

Across the country, organizations are taking time to celebrate the incredible volunteers who make their missions possible. At Jill’s House, we are deeply grateful for every person who

shows up week after week to serve our families with such dedication and care—from Mr. Brad, who faithfully drives two hours each way to lead chapel, to H.K., our longtime kitchen volunteer who ensures every child receives the meal they need.

This week, we’re honored to spotlight three volunteers who have recently joined a long line of faithful servants. Each brings their own story, passion, and perspective, but all share a common heart: a desire to show up, love well, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children and families we serve.

Ciara

I started volunteering at Jill’s House last year after my sister encouraged me to check it out, and I’m so glad she did. I grew up in Northern Virginia and now work full-time at the Pentagon, so I was looking for a meaningful way to give back in this season of life—and the Jill’s House Weekend Adventures camp program has been exactly that.

I’ve always had a deep love for the outdoors, so it brings me so much joy to help kids with disabilities experience things like canoeing, zip-lining, and simply being out in nature. One of my favorite things is standing at the top of the zip line, cheering kids on as they build the courage to go—it’s such a fun, joyful experience, and I love getting to be part of that with them.

What I didn’t expect was how much community I would find here. Not only have I built meaningful relationships with the kids—getting to know what they love and how they communicate—but I’ve also formed friendships with other volunteers that extend beyond Jill’s House. It’s such a welcoming, uplifting environment, and that sense of connection is a big part of what keeps me coming back. Jill’s House is fun, exciting, and deeply fulfilling—it’s a place where everyone belongs, and where I’ve seen firsthand the impact of simply showing up and helping create moments of joy and adventure.

Ross

After I graduated from college a few years ago, I moved up from Florida to take a job as a systems engineer with the federal government, settling in Maryland with a roommate. Some friends from my church encouraged me to check out volunteering at Jill’s House, and it’s become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Living in the metro D.C. area, everything moves so fast—but at Jill’s House, it’s completely different. With these kids, we slow down and might spend hours doing the same thing, just being present together.

One of my favorite Jill’s House kids is a teenager I see pretty regularly. He’s incredibly talkative and always has a new topic he’s excited about. One day, we spent hours going through a book about fishing—somehow tying it into conversations about tow trucks—and even singing our way through the pages. We kept bouncing between ideas, laughing and talking, and before I knew it, hours had passed. It was such a simple moment, but it meant a lot. It reminded me how powerful it is to meet someone where they are and enter into their world. Jill’s House has become a place of grace and rest for me, and it’s changed me in ways I didn’t expect.

Emma

After earning my undergraduate degree, I returned home to northern Virginia to study biostatistics and prepare to apply to medical school. I was looking for a place to volunteer nearby and came across Jill’s House—and I immediately fell in love with it. From the moment I walked in, it felt so welcoming, and it quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of my pre-med journey. Volunteering here has given me the chance to build real relationships with the kids—those moments when they remember me and run up to say hello are so special—but it’s also shown me how much joy there is in simply playing basketball or jumping in the bounce house together.

Volunteering at Jill’s House has truly shaped how I think about patient care. It’s taught me that every child is different and that communication has to be individualized, thoughtful, and rooted in understanding. That perspective has already influenced my career path—I had been working as a certified nursing assistant, but Jill’s House inspired me to take a role as a behavioral technician working with children with autism and developmental disabilities. As I look ahead to medical school, I know what I’ve learned here will stay with me. It’s given me a deeper appreciation for compassionate, personalized care and has helped shape the kind of doctor I hope to become.

Inspired by these stories? You can be part of this kind of impact, too. Learn more about volunteering at Jill’s House here.

Faithful Volunteers: The Heart of Jill’s House 

/in /by

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.

Volunteers at our Weekend Adventures program are exceptionally committed. They join us for entire weekends throughout the year to help us provide unforgettable weekend camp experiences for kids. Their dedication and selflessness make every camp weekend possible. 

Honoring Our Windy City Volunteers 

We recently had the privilege of recognizing a remarkable group of volunteers at our Windy City camp, our Chicago-area location on the shores of Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. 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. 

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. 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. 

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. 

We Can’t Do This Without 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 Weekend Adventures? 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!