"LIVE LIFE LIKE A BEE" by Team Director Jill Allender

Welcome back to the Still I Rise Podcast. Today’s guest is someone very special to me—someone who truly embodies everything that You Night was created to be. When Jill Allender first came to us, she was carrying a lot of sadness, as so many women do when they first step into our programs. She bravely joined our summer SPARK program, and that’s where I first saw this tiny seed of hope take root in her life.

And then something beautiful happened. Jill didn’t just participate—she blossomed. She grew stronger and more confident, and she began to discover her own resilience and joy again. From there, she became part of our Class of 2023, and the transformation continued. But what’s so inspiring about Jill is that she didn’t stop there. Once she felt that strength return, she turned around and started planting seeds for other women.

As a Class Director for 2024 and 2025, Jill has poured into our community every single day—checking in on the women, making sure they feel supported, celebrating their victories, and walking with them through their struggles. She has become a leader, a mentor, and an encourager in every sense of the word.

And on a personal note—she has become one of my dearest friends. I’ve watched her journey from sadness to strength, and I can tell you: Jill is the perfect example of the ‘pay it forward’ sisterhood that You Night is all about.

Today, Jill is going to share a story she wrote back in 2023 during our Story Crafting program. We’ll talk about what that story meant to her then, how her life has changed since, and why she continues to give so much of herself to others. I’m so excited for you to hear her heart and her journey.