Jillian: From Finding Belonging as a Girl to Creating It for Her Family

September 03, 2026

When Jillian started Girl Scouts as a first grader, she was a shy, quiet little girl who struggled to make friends. But Girl Scouts gave her something she had been looking for: a place where she belonged.

As she grew, so did her confidence. She tried new things, discovered what made her unique, and developed leadership skills that have stayed with her throughout her life.

Jillian’s Girl Scout journey took an unexpected pause when she was 16 and stepped away to spend more time with her family during her dad’s illness. But years later, Girl Scouts found its way back into her life—this time through her own children.

In 2021, Jillian and her wife welcomed three girls into their family through foster care. As it became clear the girls would be staying with them, Jillian knew she wanted them to experience the same sense of belonging she had found as a Girl Scout.

She watched her daughters grow from scared and shy into confident girls who discovered their own voices and strengths. When the girls were officially adopted in June 2025, their Girl Scout community was among their biggest supporters.

Today, Girl Scouts is woven into their entire family. Her oldest daughter has earned her Silver Award, her middle daughter has earned her Bronze Award and is working toward Silver, her youngest is a second-year Brownie, and her niece has joined as a Daisy.

And Jillian’s own journey continues, too. This summer, she represented Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska as a council delegate at the 58th National Council Session.

From a little girl searching for a place to belong to a mom watching her own daughters find that same belonging, Jillian’s story is a beautiful reminder that Girl Scouts can meet us at every chapter of life.

For Jillian and her family, Girl Scouts isn’t just something they do. It’s a community they call home.

100 years. Countless stories. One lasting legacy.