1. "Jill's House Gives Her Freedom"

2. Jill's House on FamilyLife Today August 30 and 31

3. Watch Jill's House on ABC 7's Harris' Heroes

Trinity and Rhonda had a blast visiting Jill's House with the whole family during the Jill's House Carnival. More than 300 families are on the wait list with a new family registering every day.

Rhonda White was a mother to three children when she gave birth to her fourth child, Trinity, in 2004. Rhonda was in the process of a divorce when Trinity's excessive feeding difficulties led Rhonda to pursue medical help. A geneticist diagnosed Trinity with Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a disorder that can lead to severe developmental delays. "I received the doctor's information based on his expertise, and I received it as a reality," said Rhonda. "But I also know that my God is a healer. So I decided to raise Trinity believing every day that she will be healed." It is with this focused faith that Rhonda began her journey as a mother of four and an advocate for children with special needs.

The next few years, however, proved challenging. Trinity continued to have difficulties digesting her food due to gastroesophageal reflux disease. She couldn't get enough nutrients and began to lose weight and her hair. Trinity was eventually placed on a G-tube (gastric feeding tube), but at age seven she weighs just 35 pounds.

Soon after Trinity's diagnosis, Rhonda began working as a resource specialist for families of children with special needs in D.C., helping families like hers connect with services and programs for their children. 

Since then, Trinity has become a Jill's House regular. She loves listening to music in the Cricket Symphony music room and spending time in the Cosmic Crater sensory room. Trinity's visits to Jill's House give Rhonda the chance to spend valuable time with her other three children, who are instrumental in caring for Trinity. "We can take a break from worrying about the feeding machine going off or about constantly attending to Trinity's needs," says Rhonda. "We've been able to sleep through the night rather than be concerned about Trinity's every move. Trinity's visits to Jill's House give her freedom to get away and have fun and gives us a breather so we can refresh and be better caregivers to Trinity."

Read more stories of the families and children we serve.

Jill's House on FamilyLife Today August 30 and 31

August 30 and 31 at 7:30 am EDT, tune in to WAVA 105.1 FM in the Washington D.C. market, or visit familylifetoday.com for your local listing, to hear Brenda Solomon (co-founder of Jill's House) and Cameron Doolittle (president and CEO of Jill's House) in an interview with FamilyLife Today hosts Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine. The show, which reaches nine million listeners, will also be available on familylifetoday.com.

Award-winning journalist Leon Harris, anchor on ABC 7/WJLA-TV, selected Jill's House to be featured in Harris' Heroes, a news segment that spotlights citizens and organizations that make a brighter future for children in the D.C. area. Watch the segment to learn how Jill's House has made a difference in the lives of three mothers' special sons and daughters.

During the week of July 16, Jill's House hosted seven adults and 20 middle and high school students from Shelter Rock Community Church

Shelter Rock Volunteer Matthew, right, energetically served as Nicholas' buddy during his week at Jill's House.

(Long Island, NY), who spent the week serving our children and providing support during Day Camp. 

The team stayed in two of the three Jill's House living areas, which are vacant during summer weeknights while the Weeknight Program is in its summer hiatus. The team began each morning with prayer and devotions. Then, throughout the day, team members worked as buddies with the children, learning how to care for children with special needs and making each child feel special and loved. The team led music in chapel each day, as the children loudly clapped and sang along to songs like "This Little Light of Mine" and "Jesus Loves Me." The team volunteered in the kitchen and pool and with our custodial staff. 

The volunteers shared overwhelming compassion for the children and benefitted from the experience. One student shared what the Lord had revealed to him by midweek -- that all children are made in God's image and He doesn't make mistakes, so they are perfect just the way they are. 

The Jill's House staff appreciated the group's fresh perspective and high energy level as well as the extra hands during the week. "The idea behind mission trips is serving in God's image, and the volunteers exemplified this," one staff member shared. "They did a fantastic job of engaging the children and helping whenever and wherever needed. They went above and beyond to serve the Jill's House families." 

As Jill's House grows, we look for more mission groups to serve both on site and at our off-site camp program. For more information on how your church can become a part of this movement, contact Jan Pascoe at jan.pascoe@jillshouse.org or 703.639.5665.

Jill's House Summer Camp

Emily was all smiles as she held the reigns and pet Tony, the miniature horse, at Jill's House.

hosted dozens of campers each week! Here are a few August camp highlights: 

We're grateful to have been able to serve 104 families and celebrate summer fun at Jill's House!

In September Jill's House will resume serving children from schools in Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.--including our newest partner school, Alternative Paths Training School (Alexandria, VA)--in our Weeknight Program. 

The Weeknight Program provides weekly respite to families and caregivers with an overnight stay for children during the school week, including transportation to and from school. 

In September 2012, Jill's House will welcome a total of 60 children to the Weeknight Program held Monday through Thursday nights. By the end of the school year, we hope to host 120 children each week. Already one school's participation has grown so much that our service has expanded to two separate weeknights to accommodate its enrolled children. 

During the Weeknight Program, children enjoy swimming, chapel, visits from therapy animals, games and activities to go along with each month's theme. "When I asked my son [if he'd like to go to Jill's House during the week]," said one parent, "he had a HUGE smile and immediately said 'YES!'"

Honor those you love by giving them a gift that lasts a lifetime--a

Honor a loved one with a paver in Jill's Garden Path. Deadline to reserve your paver is October 1.

personalized paver in Jill's Garden Path. Jill's Garden Path will be a park-like setting near our entrance where children, parents and other visitors can have a seat on a bench, enjoy the sounds of a gentle fountain, and read messages of hope and encouragement to the families and children of Jill's House.

Become a commemorative donor by purchasing a paver or two to honor your: 

Help to make Jill's House a place of hope and refreshment. Reserve your personalized paver by October 1 by visiting jillshouse.org/gardenpath or by contacting Althea Katona at althea.katona@jilshouse.org or 703.639.5666.

Grab some friends and register for the LFLO Golf Tournament today!

On Monday, October 8, Jill's House will celebrate its 12th Annual Links for Little Ones Golf Tournament at the 1757 Golf Club in Dulles, VA. Join us by sponsoring or playing in the 2012 Tournament!

Help bring the gift of Jill's House to families of children with intellectual disabilities by:

• Sponsoring the tournament with your company or organization;
• Playing in the tournament individually, or as a foursome with friends and colleagues; or
• Inviting your fellow golfers by forwarding this newsletter.

Enjoy an inspirational day of fun and fellowship including:

• Golf at one of the D.C. area's premier golf clubs;
• A dinner reception with awards;
• A drawing with fantastic prizes; and
• An opportunity to meet some of the families and children of Jill's House.

Three easy ways to sign up:

• Register online;
• Complete the registration form and mail to Jill's House; or
• Contact Kat Vinson, Jill's House Development and Events Manager, at kat.vinson@jillshouse.org or 703.639.5670.

Register today and get ready for a great day of golf, knowing you bring hope and renewal to the courageous families and inspiring children of Jill's House. Thank you in advance for your support!