Since opening our doors in 2010, Jill's House has provided 413,500 hours of respite care.
 
Family Spotlight: The Gray-Jones Family

 

Steven (left), Joe and Ackie are lifted up by Jill's House, allowing them carefree moments.
Ackie Jones is raising a child with special needs, recently remarried, balances her many responsibilities as a division director for Customs and Border Protection and continues to mourn the loss of her son, David. "I am thankful for the services Jill's House offers me and our entire family," said Ackie. "Serving the family unit is a huge gap in the disability community that has just not been filled, until now."
Joe danced the night away at the 2014 Jill's House Joy Prom.


Ackie's son, Joe Gray, 17, has autism. "Any time Joe gets a chance to be part of Jill's House, he's in!" said Ackie. "And frankly, so am I." Ackie, who is divorced from Joe's dad, remarried in February. Her husband, Clyde, who has no biological children, became an instant partner in parenting with Ackie and her former husband, Aaron. He is an additional father figure to a son with special needs who requires a lot of extra attention. "Clyde and I participated in your marriage conference earlier this year," continued Ackie, "and it really helped us connect and focus on building a strong foundation for our new marriage and family. We have also participated in Jill's House's Bible studies, which help keep our faith strong and connect us with other Jill's House families." Read more.


 

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Sheila and Fred Baerenz joined hundreds at A Celebration of Special Children last May to celebrate the impact of Jill's House. 
baerenzGIVING
Understanding typical sibling challenges and gratitude drive donor's faithful giving to Jill's House.

"My father was a career Air Force officer who did two tours in Vietnam," said Fred Baerenz. "When my dad was in Vietnam, my mom had to handle raising our family all alone. My brother, David, who was three years older than I, had Down syndrome and weak lungs. There was a constant battle with breathing challenges and oxygen deprivation."

 

Fred and his wife, Sheila, have been faithful supporters of Jill's House

Fred, right, has many joyful childhood memories of growing up with David, who had Down syndrome and passed away at the age of 10.

since the day our doors opened. As the typical sibling of a brother with special needs, Fred knows firsthand the unique challenges families face when raising a child with an intellectual disability. "Giving to Jill's House honors my brother and my parents," said Fred. "Sheila and I want to do everything we can to bring even a moment of relief to these remarkable families. I have walked their walk. We know we can't change the world, but if we can make things just a little bit easier for even one family, we know God has been glorified."

 

Fred's mother had two children before Fred was born. Donna, a typical child, was the oldest, followed by David. When David was born, the children's father left. Fred's mom was blessed to marry again, and together they had Fred. "My dad married into the family knowing the special challenges ahead, but he not only fell in love with my mom, he fell in love with Donna and David, too." Read more.

 

Arts and crafts is just one of many activities children like Kekoa enjoy thanks to our faithful donors and volunteers.
maryrachelIMPACT
As Thanksgiving approaches, we thank God for our donors, families, volunteers and friends.

Over the past four years, Jill's House has changed lives in ways we never thought possible. You helped provide 413,500 hours of respite care, save marriages and restore 500 families, including 1,000 typical siblings. And God's precious children have a place where, for once, they belong and "fit in" beautifully.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors, who come from all backgrounds and walks of life and have one thing in common--the desire to celebrate special children and renew their families. This year, children hosted lemonade stands to raise funds for Jill's House. Athletes raised money by running marathons or participating in long-distance bike races. Individuals and companies sponsored our many events. And donors sponsored a child's stay for a night or faithfully gave to become a member of our Jill's House Circle of Friends. For all of these gifts and creative ways of giving, thank you.
 

We are also grateful for those who serve as God's hands and feet. The exceptional care Jill's House provides is made possible thanks to our volunteers who are critical to the personalized care we provide children. Some of the children we serve have complex medical requirements or require a deep understanding of emotional needs and responses. Thanks to volunteers who regularly commit their time, we continue to make the safety and well-being of children our number one priority, while ensuring the children have fun and experience new things each time they visit. Read more.

 


Stephanie appreciates the warm welcome she gets at Jill's House from special children like Katie.
stephanieSERVING
Faithful volunteer gives thanks for the children she serves.

"I am just so thankful that the kids we serve want to hang out with me!" said Stephanie Herrera, who works with Jill's House children every chance she gets. "It's a privilege to be able to read to them, play outside or make up fun and crazy games, like the 'cops and traffic violators' game they came up with last week! Working with these beautiful children has humbled me and increased my appreciation for life. Time with them always gives me a reason to smile. I'm so thankful they have accepted me and that I have been welcomed at Jill's House."

 

Since moving to Philadelphia from California in 2004, Stephanie has worked in the field of health care, volunteering her extra time to organizations that serve children in need. When she moved to the Washington, D.C. area last year, one of the first things she did was research ways to serve children with disabilities. An Internet search brought Stephanie to Jill's House. And we are so grateful it did!

 

Stephanie not only supports child care specialists on a regular basis, she is also a bright, energetic presence at Jill's House events including, The Big Band Dance to Benefit Jill's House, A Celebration of Special Children and the Links for Little Ones golf tournament. "When I volunteered at A Celebration of Special Children last May and heard parents of the children we serve share their stories about saved marriages and families staying together, it really gave me a perspective on the huge impact Jill's House makes and how it changes lives. To me, what we do is humanity. It's grace. It's mercy. It's everything people should be. I am so thankful to be a part of that."

 

To learn more about opportunities to serve at Jill's House, visit jillshouse.org/serve, email [email protected] or call 703.639.5660.

ecfaNEWS
Jill's House receives accreditation from ECFA for financial accountability and stewardship.

This month, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) announced the accreditation of Jill's House based on financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising. "We are pleased to accredit a ministry committed to serving the parents and children who are desperate for respite care but cannot otherwise afford it or access it," said Dan Busby, president of ECFA.

The accreditation process involves ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, which are drawn from Scripture, including: doctrinal issues; governance; financial oversight; use of resources and compliance with laws; transparency; compensation setting and related party transactions; and stewardship of charitable gifts. "We are honored to receive this accreditation," said Jill's House President and CEO, Cameron Doolittle. "Trust is the foundation of our work, from the delivery of world-class care to children with special needs and alleviation of their parents' worry, to providing assurance to our donors that their gifts will make the greatest impact possible."

We are so grateful to our many donors for the trust they put in Jill's House. When it comes to giving, we know you have many options. As you consider your end-of-year contributions, we ask you to prayerfully consider your best possible gift to celebrate special children and renew their families.

What Families Are Saying
"Our son was having a rough day the last time he visited Jill's House. When we checked him in, your staff could not have been more patient, understanding and flexible. I was sure the weekend would not go well for him. But he had a great time!  While he was there, my husband and I went to a Bar Mitzvah and celebration with my daughter. We danced and had a ball. It was the first time my daughter had ever had a night with just my husband and me. It was amazing! On behalf of our entire family, thank you!"
Do you love Amazon.com? So do we! And now when you shop Amazon Smile, 0.5% of every purchase you make will go back to Jill's House, without costing you a penny more! It's easy. Just sign up once and remember Amazon Smile whenever you shop online!

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday shopping are right around the corner. This year when you shop online, make sure you stop by Amazon Smile where you will find the same great products, prices and service as Amazon. Sign up today and visit Amazon Smile every time you shop.
Upcoming Events

April 11, 2015

Mark your calendar to dance the night away to the big band sounds of Radio King Orchestra in the ballroom of a private home in McLean. 




May 9, 2015

Save the date! Join us at the Hyatt Regency Tysons Corner Center for an evening of inspiration at this black tie event honoring the courageous families and children Jill's House serves. Information coming soon!

June 6, 2015

A 100-mile motorcycle ride through Northern Virginia raises funds to serve more families. Includes breakfast, lunch and a day of fun and inspiration.



For a complete listing of events, visit jillshouse.org/events, email [email protected] or call 703.639.5670.
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Jill's House | 703-639-5660
PO Box 9104
McLean, VA 22102

CFC #22742 - United Way #8244