Faithful Volunteers: The Heart of Jill’s House
At Jill’s House, we exist to provide rest, renewal, and relationships for families raising young people with intellectual disabilities. Through our overnight respite programs, young people experience adventure, joy, and connection, while their parents receive the priceless gift of rest. But none of this would be possible without the unwavering dedication of our volunteers.
In our Chicago-area location, nestled in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, a remarkable group of volunteers has been quietly and consistently giving their time, energy, and love to the young people and families we serve. These individuals don’t just stop by for a few hours—they dedicate entire weekends, from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, ensuring that every young person at Jill’s House feels celebrated, cherished, and free to be themselves.
But their impact goes far beyond supervision.
They run, laugh, and play alongside our guests. They encourage them to try new things, celebrate their victories, and offer comfort when needed. They cheer them on as they zip-line through the trees, guide them through creative projects, and share meals with warmth and kindness. They don’t just care for these young people—they show up for them, weekend after weekend, year after year.
And their dedication is extraordinary.
One volunteer has given nineteen weekends over the past several years to be part of this experience. Others have devoted ten, eleven, fourteen, and even seventeen weekends—amounting to hundreds of hours spent pouring love, laughter, and encouragement into the young people we serve. They have sacrificed time with their own families so that another family could rest, recharge, and experience peace.
As a small token of appreciation, we recently gifted these volunteers matching Jill’s House sweatshirts—a symbol of our deep gratitude for the countless moments of joy they’ve created. But we know that no gift, no words, could ever truly express the impact they’ve had.
Because of them, young people who may struggle to fit in elsewhere feel welcomed, celebrated, and embraced. Parents who carry the weight of round-the-clock caregiving finally get a moment to breathe, rest, and reconnect with their other children, knowing their loved one is in safe, loving hands.
We Can’t Do This Without You
To our volunteers: Thank you. Thank you for every smile, every encouraging word, every extra proverbial mile walked. Thank you for every game played, every song sung, every meal shared, and every act of kindness. You are the heart of Jill’s House.
But the reality is, we need more people like you.
Jill’s House exists because people choose to give—whether through time, resources, or financial support. Every young person deserves a place where they are celebrated, and every parent deserves a moment to rest.
Will you be part of this life-changing mission?
When you give to Jill’s House, you make it possible for a family to experience renewal and for a young person to experience a weekend of joy. Your generosity ensures that more families find peace, more young people are embraced, and more lives are transformed.
Be the reason a family finds rest. Be the reason a young person finds joy.
