The Heart Behind Hand to Heart Village
Our Story
Hand to Heart Village began with a simple truth: no family should face a child’s medical crisis alone.
Our founders, Jennifer and Daniel Hollis, know firsthand what it’s like to live in and out of hospitals, to sleep in waiting rooms or far from home, and to navigate the chaos of appointments, surgeries, and uncertainty while still trying to hold a family together. After years of long drives, hospital stays, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion, they knew something had to change — not just for their family, but for others walking the same road.
They saw the gap clearly: hospitals treat the child. No one was caring for the whole family.
That gap became a blueprint. What started as a personal mission became a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, built to make sure no family walks this road alone — and eventually, to create physical villages near major children’s hospitals where families can rest, heal, and stay together.
Jennifer studied Sociology with a minor in Marketing and brings decades of leadership in community-centered organizations. Daniel is a retired Army First Sergeant who served with the 1st Ranger Battalion during Operation Enduring Freedom. Together, they’ve built HTHV on a foundation of empathy, accountability, and practical support.
Our Mission
Hand to Heart Village supports families across the United States navigating complex pediatric medical journeys. We provide travel, lodging, and meal assistance alongside sibling support and trauma-informed care.
Our Vision
We are building toward a nationwide network of family-centered villages near major children’s hospitals — physical places where families can rest, connect, and heal close to the care their child needs.
We provide immediate, practical help gas cards, meal support, hotel stays, and advocacy. While building deep relationships with families navigating the hardest moments of their lives.
Our Village Leadership
Our Board of Directors and Executive Team lead the way, but our true strength comes from the supporters, families, and volunteers who make this village come alive.
Jennifer Hollis
Executive Director, Co-Founder & Board Chair
Jennifer’s leadership is shaped by lived experience, long-term resilience, and a clear understanding of what families need when a child’s medical journey disrupts every part of life. She oversees program development, partnerships, and family advocacy, and is known for meeting people where they are, listening deeply, and creating systems that feel human rather than institutional.
Daniel Hollis
Co-Founder & Treasurer
Daniel oversees financial management, compliance, and long-term operational planning for HTHV. A retired Army First Sergeant who served with the 1st Ranger Battalion, he brings disciplined leadership and operational strategy to the organization. His approach balances precision with practicality, ensuring HTHV remains both mission-driven and operationally sound.
Executive Board
Kate Strickland
Vice Chair
Over two decades at the St. Jude clinic in Johnson City, TN. Mother of a daughter born at 25 weeks who spent three months in the hospital.
Christina Polosky
Secretary
Retired Army Major, Bronze Star recipient, and mother of a child with terminal medical needs. Advocates for Post Traumatic Growth and unconventional healing.
Board Members
Director of Sibling & Family Support
