Jill's House

“This is the first time we’ve been away together for a weekend in 9 years.” “It’s been great sleeping through the night.” “It feels like we’re dating again.” “We don’t normally have time to just stop and talk.” These are just a few of the reflections we heard from parents following our recent Jill’s House Marriage Retreat. For parents raising children with intellectual disabilities, extended time away together is incredibly rare. Opportunities for uninterrupted rest and meaningful conversation are even rarer. Yet strong, healthy marriages are foundational to resilient families. At Jill’s House, we are committed to supporting the whole family. Providing space for couples to reconnect, rest, and strengthen their relationship is one important way we do that. We’re grateful to be able to invest in parents so they can return home refreshed and encouraged. #JillsHouse #StrongerFamilies #FamilySupport #RespiteCare

What a joy to see our Jill’s House kids celebrated and honored at McLean Bible Church’s Night to Shine! Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, this unforgettable event celebrates young people with special needs through a prom night filled with music, dancing, and heartfelt encouragement. Each guest is treated like royalty and crowned king or queen for the night. Pure joy from start to finish, and a beautiful reminder of the power of community and inclusion.

Calling Spring 2026 College Graduates! Are you seeking a meaningful post-graduate opportunity where you can grow professionally, deepen your faith, and make a lasting impact? Jill’s House, a Christian nonprofit ministry, is now accepting applications for our Post Graduate Fellowship Program. We provide short-term, overnight respite care and holistic family support to families raising children, adolescents, and adults with intellectual disabilities—serving with the love of Christ in both word and deed. As a Fellow, you will gain: ✓ Hands-on experience supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities ✓ Professional development and intentional spiritual growth opportunities ✓ Fully furnished, paid housing alongside a close-knit cohort of Fellows ✓ The opportunity to live and serve in the Washington, DC, metro area If you are passionate about service, community, and growing both personally and professionally, we invite you to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ejg9Tenr

"Life has a way of taking unexpected turns. I’m Kara, a single mom to two incredible kids: Eva, 15, who is a driven, compassionate big sister, and Johnny, 13, who is quite simply the center of our universe. Johnny is funny, loving, endlessly energetic, and almost always dressed in orange, his signature color. Around our house, we joke that it’s Johnny’s world and the rest of us just live in it—and, honestly, that’s pretty accurate. When Johnny was two and a half, everything changed. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. In those first terrifying moments, I was just grateful he survived. What followed was something doctors still can’t fully explain. Johnny’s recovery—his resilience, his progress, and his very presence—is nothing short of miraculous. Still, we were told he would never develop beyond the level of a nine-year-old and would always require full-time care, my full-time care. During one particularly long, exhausting weekend, I found myself searching online late at night, unsure of what I was even looking for, just hoping there might be something, anything, that could help. That’s when I found Jill’s House. Even though I desperately needed rest, the thought of leaving Johnny somewhere was terrifying. Would anyone else know how to care for him? Would they see only his challenges, or would they recognize the abundant love and joy in his heart? But Jill’s House is different. Every single person there loves him exactly as he is. They truly see him and delight in him. Much of Johnny’s life is spent in environments focused on his progress—school, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, and behavior therapy—but at Jill’s House, they meet him right where he is and love him fully in that space. I expected Jill’s House to give me rest. What I didn’t expect was that it would become my son’s favorite place in the world. Johnny was once asked if he’d rather go to Disney World or Jill’s House, and he chose Jill’s House. This is a child who dressed as Mickey Mouse for twelve straight Halloweens. When I pick Johnny up after a Jill’s House stay, he asks if he can stay for 100 days. Johnny doesn’t get invited to birthday parties or sleepovers. Jill’s House is his place to belong, to be celebrated, and to have fun. Jill’s House has been part of our lives for six years now, and I truly can’t imagine life without it. To everyone who supports Jill’s House: please know that you are uplifting entire families—families like mine. For that, I am endlessly grateful." - As told by Kara, Jonny's mom #jillshouse #intellectualdisabilities #FamilyStories

We are excited to announce a partnership between Jill's House and the Malek School of Health Professions at Marymount University. Nursing students have joined our team for a 6-week clinical site rotation, gaining hands-on experience while supporting our mission and the families we serve. We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to learning and growing together.

Today, we celebrate Jill Solomon on her 34th birthday. We are so dearly grateful for her life, her story, and the enduring impact she continues to have on thousands of families. Jill’s birthday is always a meaningful moment for our community. Not because she ever stepped inside Jill’s House, or experienced respite the way so many families do today, but because everything we do began with her. On the occasion of our 15th anniversary last October, Jill’s parents shared with staff a letter that beautifully captured the heart of this ministry and the legacy Jill leaves behind. They wrote: “This ministry exists because God used Jill’s life to soften hearts and open doors. She never spent a night at Jill’s House. But it exists because of her. And we believe God will reward her richly for what she made possible.” Jill’s life, her joy, her challenges, her story, became the seed God used to create a place of rest, hope, and love for families raising children with intellectual disabilities. Because of Jill, parents are able to sleep through the night. People with intellectual disabilities find joy in adventure and a sense of belonging. Siblings receive attention and care. Families find the strength to keep going. Today, as we mark Jill’s birthday, we invite you to pause with us and reflect on the incredible ripple effect of one life faithfully lived.

"My daughter, Elena, can best be described as joyful. She wants to connect with everybody. She has a bright light in her, but not everyone sees that. Elena has Angelman syndrome, which affects her mobility, communication, and sleep. In the early years, she slept only three hours a night. And so did I. Life felt like survival mode. When Elena was six, other parents encouraged me to let her go to Jill’s House for her first overnight. I was terrified. How could I trust anyone else with her care? But they said, “She’ll love it, and you need the break.” They were right. Jill’s House gave us something we’d never had before: rest and trust. For the first time, I knew she was completely safe and surrounded by people who celebrated her, who saw her light. I could finally exhale. I used to call Jill’s House midway through the weekend, on Saturday afternoons, just to check in. The staff would say, “Hold on,” walk up to her, and hold up the phone. I’d hear her squealing and laughing in the background. Then they’d say, “She’s got the biggest smile on her face, and she’s having a great time.” Hearing her joy in real time meant everything to me. Elena loved her weekends at Jill’s House in Tysons and later experienced camp weekends at Blue Ridge, where she thrived being outdoors. Blue Ridge was her happy place—smaller, quieter, and full of exciting experiences like hayrides and visits from therapy dogs. She especially loved seeing the horses (from a safe distance—they’re a little too big for her taste!) and spending time with staff who shared her excitement and energy. She felt completely at home there. I loved the reports I’d get after each Jill’s House visit. They always began with“We love Elena because…,” followed by all the wonderful things about her. When you spend years hearing what your child needs to work on, hearing what others love about them means everything. At Jill’s House, no one told her to calm down or be different. They simply delighted in who she is. That’s what makes Jill’s House different. They don’t just meet needs; they see the whole person. Raising a child with special needs can be isolating. The world doesn’t see the unique stressors, the constant logistics, and the exhaustion. Even when people try to help, they can’t fully understand unless they’ve lived it. That’s why Jill’s House—and the community I’ve found here—means so much to me." - As told by Lisa, Elena's mom

Summer Internship Applications Are Still Open! Looking for a meaningful summer opportunity? Jill’s House is accepting applications for our Summer Internship Program! Join our team, gain hands-on experience, and be part of a mission that supports children with intellectual disabilities and their families. Apply today and help make this summer one that truly matters. https://lnkd.in/efpchYEM

Congratulations to Dorothy Quan, the recipient of our first-ever Direct Support Professional of the Year Award! This new annual, peer-nominated honor recognizes exceptional care, dedication, and leadership among our Direct Support Professionals. Dorothy exemplifies the heart of Jill’s House through her compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the individuals and families we serve. We are deeply grateful to Dorothy and to all of our Direct Support Professionals, whose passion and skill create a nurturing environment rooted in dignity and hope. Their work is essential to our mission, and their impact is felt every single day throughout Jill’s House. Thank you for all that you do!

New year, new job? We’re hiring Weekend Direct Support Professionals at our Tysons, Rocky Top, and Windy City locations! We’re also now accepting applications for our 2026 Summer Internship Program and 2026–2027 Fellowship Program. Looking for more than just a paycheck? Want a job that truly makes a difference for families raising children with intellectual disabilities? We’d love to hear from you. Search for open positions at https://lnkd.in/eq_4WVhV