The Sullivan House at Indian Rock Acres
Respite & Retreats
From the early days of Jessica & Friends, a respite home for individuals and families was in the prayers and on the hearts and minds of our Founders and supporters. Meanwhile God was at work in the lives of Mark and Grace Sullivan as they 
contemplated what to do with their family home; a beautiful country estate. December 16, 2013 will long be remembered as another miracle day in the history of Jessica & Friends Community when God brought the dreams of an incredible couple together with the vision of Jessica & Friends Community.
Several months earlier, the Sullivan’s had approached selected non-profits in the York Community about a desire to donate their beautiful home, located in the rolling countryside of York County. The property includes a restored 1864 brick home, a 1791 stone cottage, and 4 ½ acres of wooded land, complete with a stream, walking path, and a wonderfully landscaped swimming area and pavilion. The Sullivan’s dream was to give all of this to a non-profit who would use it to strengthen the York community. Many long standing prayers were answered as our proposal was accepted and Jessica & Friends Community was chosen to receive what we have named the “Sullivan House at Indian Rock Acres”.
The spring and summer of 2014 have been busy times as we’ve worked diligently to develop our initial programs and prepare the property for our activities. In May 2014 Millie and Glenn Martin joined our team as the “Innkeepers” for the property. Millie is our Hospitality Director and Glenn oversees all the property maintenance.
Retreat and Respite activities include:
Family Fun Days
Couples Weekend Retreats
Mom’s Weekend Retreats
Mother and Daughter Weekend Retreats
Dad’s Weekend Retreats
Father and Son Weekend Retreats
Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Sullivan family we have been able to expand services to provide faith-based support, training, respite, and recreation to our individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. IRA is bustling with activity during the week as our day program and community program participants enjoy educational trips and life skill training such as cooking, gardening, landscaping, and animal care. We have also been able to offer this beautiful estate to other faith based non-profit organizations in the community.
Board Members
The humility and grace of the Sullivans can be felt in these words when Grace remarked, “We have just given our home, you have given your lives." The Sullivans have given more than a home. They've given peace and hope to the many families impacted by intellectual disabilities in our community.
To register for an upcoming retreat or event, pleae contact Millie Martin at ira@jandfcommunity.org or by phone
Address
The Sullivan House at Indian Rock Acres
569 Indian Rock Dam Road
York, PA 17403
Retreat Testimony
"The Couple's Retreat was completely relaxing - just what we needed to allow us a break from home and for us to reconnect. Thank you."
~ From a parent who attended a Couple's Retreat
Take a Photo Tour
Retreat and Respite Testimony
"I want to thank you for hosting us for Family Fun Day! We were blessed by your gracious hospitality. Indian Rock Acres is a lovely place and the perfect setting for a restful retreat.
Your willingness to invest in our lives validates my attempts at parenting my child as honorable and worthwhile. It is challenging to relate to someone you have just met, and even more of a challenge with someone who has difficulty responding in appropriate ways. You showed you care by rising to that challenge and trying to engage in a meaningful way. And ‘meaningful’ to Kensie is not easily measured; even as her mother, I am still learning that her definition of enjoyment is much different than my own. Whatever her response, I am sure she felt Christ’s love through you.
Thank you for giving your time to serve us at Fun Day. God bless you for your encouragement to us families!"
From a parent who attended a Family Fun Day