In this episode, Joel Dillion, CEO of Jill’s House, and Kelly Speck, author of Hope in the Heartache, and a Jill’s House mom, discuss the organization’s mission and impact. Jill’s House was inspired by the experience of Brenda and Lon Solomon, whose daughter Jill developed significant disabilities due to a genetic condition. After receiving respite care from a church member, the Solomons were motivated to create a similar service for other families. This led to the establishment of Jill’s House in 2010.

Jill’s House provides short-term respite care for children with intellectual disabilities, offering 24-48 hour stays to give parents a break. The facility features fun, safe activities like a pool and climbing wall, while ensuring personalized care from professional nurses and highly-trained staff. This respite not only provides physical relief for parents but also emotional support, knowing their children are in a tailored, caring environment.

In this episode, Kelly Speck shares how Jill’s House has been a lifeline for her family, offering relief from isolation and burnout. She reads an excerpt from her book, reflecting on her emotional experience of leaving her son Bennett at Jill’s House for the first time and how their family now compares Jill’s House to a Disneyworld experience.

Jill’s House is also focused on research, collaborating with Baylor University to assess the impact of their services on family well-being. Jill’s House operates largely through volunteer efforts and private donations, with over 80% of its budget coming from this support. Its inclusivity-based approach fosters a community that values families of children with disabilities, offering both care and connection.