Unconditional love…read more
As cheesy as it may sound, this place oozes unconditional love for children with special needs. From the carefully thought-out interior decor to the doting, compassionate staff, Jill's House is one of the most tangible manifestations of love for a group of children often overlooked by the general public.
Jill's House is an overnight respite home for special-needs children. For the kids, it's like a fun sleepover - there's a music room with musical instruments, sing-a-long DVDs, and space to dance, a technology room with touch-screen computers, an art room, a gym, an indoor pool, a playground, and nature-themed "pods" with more games, puzzles, toys, video games, and even a movie screen (tell me you didn't have to take a breath in between reading that list). For the hard-working parents (for whom I have such great respect and admiration), it's a chance for them to have a night to themselves.
Furthermore, Jill's House is an incredibly safe place for these children. The intake coordinators are very detailed in recording each individual child's diet restrictions, medical concerns, and methods of communication. They also make sure to give the parents (and the child) a tour of the facility beforehand. The intake coordinators, then, propagate all of this information to the staff who work directly with the children. Now, the staff are a group of people who are not only efficient caretakers, but are also genuinely loving people. It's apparent that the children quickly form bonds with the staff and recognize them when they return. It's heartwarming to witness.
I could go on and on, but (as another review has pointed out) it might be easier to just visit the website or call.
Ultimately, this facility houses an amazing group of workers and a precious group of kids.