 In This Newsletter
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Jill's House on Television
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Catherine Reynolds, featured in the January 2012 issue of Washingtonian Magazine, stands by Cathy's Camp, the living area named in her honor.
Photograph by Jeff Elkins.
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Jill's House had the opportunity to share about it's work through various media including FoxNews.com, News4, The Christian Post, Washingtonian Magazine, The Steve Harvey Show, Focus on the Family Minute, and other venues!
Our friend Catherine Reynolds was honored by Washingtonian Magazine as one of the Washingtonians of the Year for her impact in the community, and elected to highlight her support for Jill's House.
Additionally, Barbara Harrison, News4 anchor and "Wednesday's Child" reporter interviewed Brenda Solomon, co-founder of Jill's House, and Sonya Stone, mother of a child who comes to Jill's House, in a live interview during News4 Midday. We received several calls from viewers after the interview, including families interested in applying to visit Jill's House.
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From left: Sonya Stone, Brenda Solomon and Barbara Harrison discuss Jill's House on News4 Midday.
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Family Spotlight: The Warne Family
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The Warne family celebrating Christmas.
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"Nothing prepares you for the news that your child has Down syndrome," say Bill and Sheryl Warne. The Warnes' daughter, Hope, was born in 2004, joining siblings Grace (7) and William (5). In addition to having Down syndrome, Hope required surgery to correct intestinal problems.
Faced with Chicago's slipping economy and drawn by family in the D.C. area, the Warnes moved to Northern Virginia in 2007. They visited McLean Bible Church and found out about its Access Ministry. Hope became a regular visitor to Jill's House when it opened in 2010. "Hope packs her bags in advance," says Sheryl. "She loves coming to Jill's House."
Hope's visits provide a much-needed break for the rest of the family too, since the family is always "on guard" keeping Hope safe. "It's easier for us to manage than it is for many," says Sheryl, "but caring for her is like being on lifeguard duty with no breaks to come down from the chair. It's so exhausting." When Hope is at Jill's House, Sheryl and Bill have a chance to relax and spend time with Grace and William.
"We stumbled upon the biggest gift when we left Chicago," says Sheryl. "We probably would've been willing to move here just for Jill's House!"
Read more stories of celebration and renewal from other families Jill's House has served.
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Volunteer Profile: "I smile when I think about Jill's House"
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Ray volunteering at a fundraising event for Jill's House.
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Ray Woods shares his experience with Jill's House.
JH: How did you become involved with Jill's
House?
RW: My first exposure to Jill's House was by accident. I was
invited to fill out a foursome at the 2005 Links for Little Ones golf tournament. During the raffle, I won a book written by Lon Solomon.
After reading Brokenness (Red Door Press, 2005), I was amazed at how awful I felt. Several weeks later, I decided to attend a service at McLean Bible Church (MBC). Four weeks after that, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. By the time the next Links for Little Ones golf tournament rolled around in 2006, I was serving on its volunteer board.
JH: How has your volunteer experience evolved since 2006?
RW: I continue to represent Jill's House at fundraising events like the Dog Wash and Links for Little Ones. I enjoy raising money for Jill's House by selling donated items on Craigslist
and building, fixing and hauling items for Jill's House. I also mentor children in The Friendship Club through Access at MBC.
JH: How are you able to use your gifts to serve?
RW: I believe my spiritual gift is evangelism. Jill's House makes a very compelling testimony on changed lives for Christ, including myself. I hope to continue to help others learn about Christ by sharing Jill's House with them. Reflecting back over the last six years, I smile when I think about Jill's House. A golf tournament was the instrument God used to bring me to Him! The Lord uses Jill's House to help these precious kids and their parents live better lives. But another miracle He worked through Jill's House was saving me.
We would love for you to use your gifts and passions to serve at Jill's House as well. You can sign up to volunteer in a wide range of capacities, or contact Jan Pascoe at 703.639.5665 or jan.pascoe@jillshouse.org.
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Full Capacity at 2011 Christmas Camp
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Akhil dresses up as a starfish during a program on aquatic animals at Christmas Camp.
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Laughter rang through the rooms the week after Christmas when Jill's House served 40 children during its 2011 Christmas Camp. This was the greatest number of children ever simultaneously served at Jill's House.
Each day, special visitors came to entertain and educate. On Tuesday, a volunteer played the flute and allowed each child to hold or touch it afterward. During a visit from the Bar C Ranch, a mobile petting zoo, children giggled and gasped as they felt the bumpy shell of a sixty-pound tortoise and took turns petting a chinchilla. The children also enjoyed special visits from therapy dog group Paws4Hearts and conservation educators Under the Sea.
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Apply for the 2012-2013 Fellows Program
Do you know someone who is about to graduate from college with a nursing, social work, or special education degree? If they feel a particular call from God to work with children with special needs and to love them as Jesus does, Jill's House would love to talk to them.
Jill's House Fellowships are full-time, paid positions designed to develop a generation of superbly trained professionals who care for children with special needs. Successful candidates are high-energy, passionate people who are called by God to work with children with special needs.
The 2012-2013 Jill's House Fellowship lasts one year, beginning in June 2012. Fellows gain hands-on experience under professional oversight. They are challenged to deepen their faith by working with children with special needs and living together in community.
"I love that God gave me the opportunity to bless others through Jill's House," says Jill's House Fellow and child care specialist Annie Aiello (BSW, Ball State University, 2009). "The children here have taught me to love as Jesus loves."
Applications for the 2012-2013 Fellows Program are due February 29, 2012. For more information visit jillshouse.org/fellows or email Christine Walls.
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Ways to Support Jill's House
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Help Build Jill's Garden Path
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Personalized pavers on Jill's Garden Path leave a lasting legacy.
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Jill's Garden Path will be a park-like setting near the entrance to Jill's House where children, parents and visitors can walk, sit on a bench, enjoy the sounds of a gentle waterfall, and read messages of hope and encouragement from those who care about them. You can honor a friend or a loved one with a special gift to Jill's Garden Path that will last for decades. Currently, there are small benches, one large bench and pavers available for purchase! Reserve yours today, and join us in creating this beautiful place of peace. Learn more.
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Your Company May Double Your Gift!
Many corporations match charitable contributions from their employees and retirees. Check our database or contact your employer's human resources department to learn specifics about its matching gift program. Further, corporations often acknowledge and provide additional support to organizations for which their employees volunteer. Diane Anderson, featured in last month's "Volunteer Spotlight," experienced this: "United Airlines awarded Jill's House a Volunteer Impact Grant because of my volunteer service. Jill's House is now eligible to receive employee contributions through United's Employee Charitable Giving Campaign. I encourage every volunteer to check their employer's policy on charitable giving." |
Photo of the Month
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Ruthie admires the flute played by Jill's House volunteer Tara Gomez at Jill's House Christmas Camp.
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January 31, 2012
Since opening in October 2010, Jill's House has provided 59,207 hours of respite.
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Save the Date
The 2012 Dance to Benefit Jill's House will take place on May 19.
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The 2012 Ride to Jill's House will take place on June 9.
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What Our Families Are Saying ...
"Words are insufficient to express how thankful we are for each one of you and for every single person who contributes to make Jill's House the very special haven that it is for our boys. The injection of hope and love that our relationship with Jill's House has brought into our family is truly priceless. Thank you." |
Work at Jill's House
As Jill's House grows, it continues to need more great people. We are currently hiring for the following positions: -Manager, Annual Giving -Water Safety Instructor -Child Care Specialist Complete listing and job descriptions. |
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