Save a Marriage and Keep a Family Together
A special message from our president and CEO, Cameron Doolittle
Let me be transparent with you. As we come to the end of the year I am asking your financial help over the next 40 days. Specifically, I am asking our donors and friends of Jill's House -- large and small -- to come together and give $1.2 million to help us make a commitment to weary families so that Jill's House can provide as much regular respite in 2014 as we have in 2013. But most importantly, we need your help to save marriages and keep families together.
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Your gift helps lift up families like the McNeils, who are raising two children with special needs (learn more about Waverly's bittersweet birthday, below).
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Jill's House is at capacity for our weekend program, and we have hundreds of families on our waiting list. I am reaching out to you to prayerfully consider joining together with other donors to help us serve more families. Whether you give $125 to sponsor the direct care costs of a child's stay for one night or $12,500 to lift up many families with emotional, physical and spiritual support for a full year, all gifts work together to transform lives. Will you help?
-- Cameron Doolittle
 Giving families a break provides a lifeline that helps keep marriages and families together.
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| A Milestone Birthday for a Special Jill's House Guest
Waverly turns 10!
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Waverly (second from left, front row) was surrounded by her friends, brother Oliver (third from right, front row) and Jill's House staff for her bittersweet birthday celebration.
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"Waverly's tenth birthday celebration at Jill's House was a beautiful surprise for our family," said Shannon McNeil, Waverly's mom. "I distinctly remember when she and her brother Oliver were both diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome about five years ago, one of the pamphlets we were handed gave a lifespan estimate of about 10-18 years. So this birthday was a very bittersweet milestone for Waverly.
"I couldn't believe the Jill's House staff remembered and took the time to bake cupcakes, make a banner and have the kids create birthday cards. I cried happy tears when I saw the photo and posting of the event on Facebook. Thank you so much for celebrating Waverly and showing so much love to our family."
Waverly's friend Danielle (pictured center, above) said "Even though Waverly can't talk, I can still tell she loves me." Visit our Facebook Page to see more photos from Waverly's birthday party at Jill's House and celebrate with us how your donations transform lives.
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Jill's House Hill Country Launches!
Serving families in Austin, Texas
 On November 8-10 Jill's House began serving families in the Austin, Texas area at Jill's House Hill Country. This is the newest location where Jill's House partners with churches and existing facilities to bring our proven respite program to serve families around the country. The weekend included fun activities such as zip-lining, arts and crafts and archery.
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Carley, left, with buddy Mandi, was one of our very first Jill's House Hill Country guests.
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"Our first Jill's House Hill Country weekend was amazing," said Christine Walls, Director of National Programs. "We were able to provide a world-class weekend for eight children with special needs, giving their families a nice, long break. From the check-in and family reception at Austin Ridge Bible Church to the activities at Twin Oaks Ranch, all the details were handled with excellence and the children we served had a great weekend!"
Our short-term mission teams make it possible to serve families in locations like Jill's House Hill Country, Jill's House Pikes Peak and Jill's House Lake Arrowhead. If you know a youth group, family, or any group of people 16 and older interested in serving children on a three-day mission trip that will impact their lives forever, please watch our video, visit oxygen3.org and sign up today!
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Jill's House Fellowship Program Accepting Applications for 2014 Developing professionals who love Jesus and children with special needs
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Share this video with someone you believe could do God's work as a Jill's House Fellow.
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Are you (or someone you know) about to graduate college with a degree in nursing, social work or special education? The Jill's House Fellowship Program, now in its third successful year, is taking applications for 2014.
The Program begins in June and lasts one year. It is a full-time, paid position and the Fellows live and work with other godly people committed to serving children with special needs. The Fellows care for children with a wide array of disabilities, gain hands-on experience, deepen their walk with God, live in an intentional community, and receive compensation, benefits, and housing during the year of the program.
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Fashion Show Raises Funds to Serve More Families
Thank You Friends of Jill's House
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Left to right: Carolyn Saylor, Anna Mergele, Christia, Leonard Gorski, Jeannie Keras and Holly Vagley.
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To celebrate Jill's House, international fur couturier,
Leonard Gorski, and his world-renowned designer Christia staged a beautiful fashion show and reception for us in October, generously donating 10% of all proceeds to Jill's House.
The fund-raiser, hosted by Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria and organized by Fur Salon Manager Jeannie Keras and some wonderful friends of Jill's House (pictured above), was packed with new fans and old friends alike, who came together to give a gift that truly lasts a lifetime: a stronger family for a special child. The tally for the event continues to grow and will be announced at an upcoming Jill's House event. Stay tuned!
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Save the date for a special night of inspiration and hope
A Celebration of Special Children, a benefit for Jill's House, will be held Friday, May 30, from 7pm to 10pm at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.
 Hosted by Wayne and Catherine Reynolds, this black-tie event will celebrate the courageous families and inspiring children Jill's House serves.
Join more than 500 guests for an elegant evening of music, exquisite dinner and inspirational stories of hope.
Thank you to Acuity, Inc., for being a Signature Sponsor for the 2014 Celebration of Special Children.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Helen Hill
"Working with children at Jill's House completes me."
 JH: What brought you to Jill's House?
HH: While my son was growing up I volunteered at his school, helping wherever they needed me -- in the classroom, with fundraisers or special events. When we moved back to Northern Virginia, I went online to search volunteer opportunities, and Jill's House came up first. I read all of the family stories and was incredibly moved. After all of my years helping children, I believed God had sent me there.
JH: What do you do at Jill's House?
HH: At first I worked at the front desk, but that wasn't for me. I missed being with the children. When I volunteer, I do whatever makes the life of the childcare specialist easier. I do laundry, make beds, pick up, read to the children, play with them or just listen to the children and respond to their needs.
JH: What do you like best?
HH: When a child with special needs knows my name, remembers my face or recognizes my voice it makes me complete. It shows me that I have truly made a difference in his or her life.
JH: Do you remember any special story or event that stands out?
HH: One day a young girl had taken ill and was in her room until her dad could come and get her. She wanted to go to the pool like everyone else in her group, but that wasn't possible. Her childcare specialist was so kind and understanding to the situation and spoke to her with such a loving voice that it made me stop and listen. The love and patience shown is truly what Jill's House is all about, and I am so blessed to be a part of it. I have made a new family here with the children and staff and always feel complete when I am here.
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Outdoor Fun at Jill's House Blue Ridge
Photo of the Month: Victoria
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Victoria balanced on the beam at Jill's House Blue Ridge (with a little help from our Jill's House Fellows)!
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November 21, 2013
Since opening in October 2010, Jill's House has provided 289,198 hours of respite care.
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Save the Date!
April 26, 2014: The Big Band Dance to Benefit Jill's House
May 30, 2014: A Celebration of Special Children, a benefit for Jill's House: Ritz-Carlton, Tysons
June 7, 2014: The Ride for Jill's House: 100-mile motorcycle ride through Northern Virginia
October 13, 2014: Annual Links for Little Ones Golf Tournament
October 26, 2014: Team Jill's House Marine Corps Marathon and 10K
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Give to Jill's House at Work!
Make a lasting difference in the lives of families raising children with special needs when you participate in your employer's Combined Federal Campaign, United Way, or employee giving program.
Your gift gives hundreds of families desperately needed rest and renewal through Jill's House.
There are three easy ways to give to Jill's House from your workplace:
1. Combined Federal Campaign #22742;
2. United Way #8244; or
3. Your own company's employee giving campaign. Many employers will match your gift; please check to see if your company does.
For more information, contact your employer or Claire Waldrop at 703.639.5699 or claire.waldrop@jillshouse.org.
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Donate Your Old Vehicle and Help Us Serve More Families
Wondering what do to with your old car, truck, motorcycle, RV or boat? Donating it to Jill's House is convenient, easy and may qualify you for a tax deduction. Best of all, your donation will make a big difference in helping Jill's House provide respite to more families. To learn more, call 866.628.2277.
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What Our Families Are Saying
"I just want to THANK YOU for your kind words of encouragement during my son's first overnight stay at Jill's House! He did so well, and I am sure his adjustment there is a result of many beautiful prayers. The length of time of his visit was absolutely perfect...not too long and not too short. I was completely rested and ready to see his beautiful smile Sunday afternoon. Thank you so much!"
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Be a Part of Our Team
As Jill's House serves more children, we continue to need great people.
We are currently hiring for the following position:
-PT Childcare Specialists
View complete listing and job descriptions here.
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