A letter from our founder
Why Ellie's House exists
Every Child Heard. Every Family Supported. Safety First.
Many of you know Ellie. Some of you know pieces of our family's story, the challenges we have navigated, and the profound ways those experiences have shaped my work as a mother, social worker, clinician, and advocate.
What you may not know is that those experiences have inspired something I hope will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families for generations to come: Ellie's House, Inc. Family Justice Center.
Ellie's House was born from a deeply personal understanding of what happens when families must navigate complicated systems while trying to protect their children, maintain meaningful relationships, and preserve their own financial and emotional stability.
The gap we seek to address
Parents may be ordered to participate in evaluations, therapy, supervised visitation, or other services that are difficult to access, extraordinarily expensive, or not covered by insurance. For many families — particularly those within the ALICE population (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) — the financial burden can be devastating.
These are often hardworking families who earn too much to qualify for assistance but do not have thousands of dollars available for attorneys, evaluations, and court-ordered services. Some face mounting debt, housing insecurity, and even homelessness while attempting to remain involved in their children's lives.
No family should be pushed toward poverty or homelessness simply because they are trying to navigate family court, protect their children, or maintain a safe and meaningful relationship with them. And no child's safety or access to appropriate support should depend on their family's financial resources.
Our vision
A child-centered, trauma-informed Family Justice Center where children and families can find guidance, advocacy, education, coordinated resources, and support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Our first year will focus on building the community ecosystem necessary to make that vision possible — partnerships among legal professionals, behavioral health providers, domestic violence and child advocacy organizations, housing resources, and community leaders. We also hope to begin building the financial foundation to purchase a permanent home in New Cumberland or Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, with two to three residential apartments for families experiencing instability and a welcoming Family Justice Resource Center on the ground floor.
A place that feels like home. A place where families are heard. A place where safety, stability, and hope can begin again.
Join the founding Board of Directors
Ellie's House cannot be built by one person. We are inviting a small group of individuals to consider becoming founding members of the Board of Directors — people who believe in this mission and are willing to help shape an organization grounded in ethical leadership, financial accountability, child safety, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to the families we hope to serve.
Board members will help establish the organization's direction, develop community partnerships, support fundraising and property acquisition efforts, and build the foundation for sustainable services.
Complete the Board Interest FormEllie's House carries my daughter's name, but its purpose is to help ensure that other children and families do not have to face these challenges without support, resources, and a place to turn.
With gratitude,
Renea Snyder
Founder, Ellie's House, Inc. Family Justice Center