My twin boys, Jared and Josiah, were born in 2000 and both have been diagnosed with Autism. They have two sisters and an older brother. Because we are a military family, we eventually ended up here in Virginia. We started attending McLean Bible Church—one of the only churches I know of that has a program for children like my boys. It also provided me with my only opportunity to sit in a church service. We came to know Jill’s House because of McLean Bible—and it has been a blessing to us ever since.

Over two years ago, the boys lost their mom, and I lost my wife. She passed away after being diagnosed with stage four cancer. As you can imagine, there have been a lot of challenges through it all, but Jill’s House has been a source of stability for our family—the boys have spent nearly half their life going to Jill’s House! Over the last few years, it has been wonderful to have those couple nights to catch up on work or simply relax. Knowing that the boys are having so much fun makes it a win-win for all of us.

When my wife passed away, there was support from the Jill’s House community. We had built relationships there—both my boys had built relationships, and my wife and I had built relationships. I can think of one time in particular, shortly after their mom had passed away. I was dropping the boys off at Jill’s House and was talking to the nurse about their medication. It touched a chord in me and became a very emotional moment—and the nurse was there for me. We talked it through. She was there for me in a very tender moment.

Jill’s House sees my sons for who they are and love them in the ways they want to be loved. My son Jared is very talkative: he loves to tell all his stories. Jill’s House gives him an opportunity to talk to someone other than me, and he really looks forward to it! Josiah likes attention: he likes to be catered to, so everyone gets the relational attention they want. There are lots of activities for them to experience as well. They really enjoy the sensory room and when the pool is open, they love that as well! Even now, at age twenty, they still look forward to going!

Stability is important to my boys—in the middle of everything going on in the last year, Jill’s House was a constant source of stability.

Throughout the pandemic, the boys have been able to continue to come to Jill’s House. The team at Jill’s House does a lot to make sure that they stay safe when they come for a visit, which has been really great and reassuring. It means so much to me that they are being cared for and worked for in a safe environment. As a parent, what could mean more?

The Bible talks about sowing seed in the ground as a metaphor for doing good work. When my wife died, I had to start again. I needed a Jill’s House. This place has been important for my sons. Anyone who gives to this place is doing a good work: I want to encourage donors that your generosity to Jill’s House is worthwhile.

If I am afraid of anything in life, it is that somebody would not treat my boys well. As a parent, that’s what can keep me up at night. Here at Jill’s House, I have no concerns about their wellbeing. Thank you for this good work that you do for families like mine: providing a safe and loving place for boys like Jared and Josiah.