Jill’s House

The call to Be you, Bravely is concurrently empowering and intimidating. We get that. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or identify exactly what is calling our hearts toward doing something brave. If you’re not sure what brave thing to do this year maybe it’s about slowing down to listen to your heart, or maybe it’s about trying out a few things, because sometimes it takes getting involved before we know we’re passionate. For those of you in the second category, we’ll be highlighting organizations doing impactful things in the world with opportunities to dip your toe in, getting involved right from your home. (For those of you in the first category, we hope you’ll follow us along in The Brave Collective and that the journeys of other women will inspire and orient you in your own calling.)

This month, we’re highlighting Jill’s House. It is an organization set-up to provide rest for families with children with special needs. It is often difficult for a family to find a babysitter or family with high level of expertise needed to watch their children. It can be overwhelming, and Jill’s house is there to provide that respite.

Here’s to brave!

What was the inspiration behind Jill’s House?

It all began with little Jill. Jill was born healthy and happy, and her parents, Lon and Brenda Solomon, and three brothers were so excited to welcome a daughter and sister to their busy family. A few months later, she began having seizures. Slowly, the seizures left her severely brain damaged and with a rare diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome.

Brenda said she wondered if she would ever stop crying, when a friend stepped in, introducing them to the idea of respite care. It gave the Solomon’s a chance to rest and give time to each other and their three sons, with the peace that Jill was being well-cared for while she was away from them.

They came back able to better care for Jill and their family each time. It was born out of this season, the Solomon’s founded Jill’s House to better help other families who also had children with special needs.

So how does Jill’s house work?

Jill’s house is located in a suburb of Washington, D.C., and it provides a fun, camp-like atmosphere for the children. The kids get to play outdoors, do art, make music, listen to stories and make friends. All the activities and food is centered around the needs of these special kiddos and with the help of parents and experts in the field.

Parents can leave their child knowing they are loved and cared for well. And get the rest they need to be the best parents they can be.

What can a mom do to support Jill’s House?

Jill’s House has a whole bunch of ways a mom can get involved. If you are in the Washington D.C. area, you can learn more about volunteering on site. But they also have a prayer team, you don’t have to leave your house or your kids to help care for the families of Jill’s House! Get your MOPS group or your kids involved by hosting a FUNraiser or sponsoring a child.