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.

And, more good news! Today “We’re Good” released a new episode about Jill’s House, featuring Kelly Speck, a longtime Jill’s House mom and author of Hope in the Heartache, along with our CEO Joel Dillon.

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

“Covered in Peace”

In this episode, Kelly shares how Jill’s House has been a lifeline for her family. Bennett has been coming to Jill’s House for many years. Reading an excerpt from her book, Kelly reflects on her emotional experience of leaving her son Bennett at Jill’s House for the first time and how their family now compares Jill’s House to a Disneyworld experience.

But, more importantly, Kelly shares that when Bennett comes home from Jill’s House, he is “covered in peace.” We can’t think of a better articulation of our hopes for the impact of Jill’s House on kids and their families. 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 with a  financial gift today. We are eager to bring this life-saving experience to more families! You can make it happen.

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

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As 2025 begins, Jill’s House is expanding in ways that will change lives forever. In just the first three 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 parents 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 where families are seen, known, and deeply loved. 

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 belonging. 

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 whole families who need it most.  Will you make a donation today to help us serve more families in 2025?

 

Family Christmas Party

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Jill’s House’s Family Support Team was thrilled to be able to host 40 families at our first in-person Christmas party since 2019 at our Vienna campus. The children and their families had a wonderful time decorating cookies, crafting Christmas ornaments, visiting Santa, and posing for professional family portraits. One of the attending moms shared,

“Thank you so much for all the time, effort, and hard work putting this event together. My life, and my family’s life, has been completely changed for the better by the friendships we’ve made during the last year through these family support programs and events. I have made friends that I can even put down as emergency contacts for [my son] in a pinch; that’s how close a bond has been formed. [My son’s] weekend and weeknight stays are great for him and me, but these family support events have changed our whole lives as a family.”

Matt McNeil, First Jill’s House Parent to Serve as Board Chair

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Many of you are familiar with Matt and Shannon McNeil. They are former Jill’s House parents. Both of their children, Waverly and Oliver, came to Jill’s House for many years. You can see their story here:

The McNeil family has been a part of the Jill’s House family for a long time now.

Many of you are likely unaware that Matt has been faithfully serving on the Jill’s House Board for several years. To my knowledge, he is the first Jill’s House parent to ever serve on our Board.

I’m delighted to report that on Tuesday evening, Matt was officially installed as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jill’s House. I am thrilled to have him leading the charge, and I would ask you to join me in praying that God will guide and bless him as he carries the banner for all of us.

Please join us in welcoming Matt into his new role.