Providing a home away from home

Offering no-cost temporary housing for individuals and caregivers undergoing treatment in Houston, Texas—

a comforting refuge on the path to healing.

Our Mission

The Ballard House is dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals and their caregivers who travel to Houston, Texas for world-renowned medical treatment. We offer a temporary, no-cost home away from home, fostering a warm and welcoming environment that prioritizes safety and community. Our commitment is upheld by the generosity of the community, as we rely on their donations to extend comfort, care, and solace during challenging times. Together, we strive to be a beacon of hope, easing the burdens of those facing medical journeys by offering a place where healing begins with a supportive and nurturing embrace.

Our Impact

Did you know it costs $2,000 a day to operate The Ballard House?
Help us reach our goal to impact 100 nights in 2025. You could fund a day for $2,000, or ten monthly donations of $200.

Click to Donate

Thank You

Great Ballard House Gala Sponsors!

Your generosity makes more than just a memorable evening possible, it helps ensure that The Ballard House legacy of compassion, care, and community continues for years to come.
A heartfelt thank-you to our amazing community for selling out this year’s event!

Spotlights

Guest Spotlight

Gary Guilbert
My journey to the Ballard House was completely unexpected. About seven years ago I was skiing in Jackson Hole Wy. I have always been an outdoor person, back packing in the Rockies, scuba diving, sailing, and swimming. So, when my son and I at the age of 71, went to Jackson Hole, to ski I never considered that there would be problems. So, we skied the lower part of the mountain to acclimate to the altitude the first few days. Then we rode the gondola to the top of the mountain, elevation about 10,000 ft. At the top is a beautiful big bowl and my son said you do it and I’ll film you. So, off I went and it was huge, it took about a minute to reach a flat out area. I could NOT breathe! I fully expected to be out of breath for a bit coming from Texas. Maybe 5 minutes, it took about 25 minutes.
Back in Austin, my PCP referred me to a pulmonary specialist. Multiple tests were run and of course they wanted to know how much I have smoked, NONE ! The resulting Rx was ILD with RA. For the last four years my lungs have deteriorated and in January 2025 I was put on the transplant list. I finally got the transplant December 13, 2025. After thirty days in the hospital resting from the surgery I was released to rehab at the Ballard House. So, now at the Ballard house my concerns are rejection of the new lung and rehabbing from the surgery.
Hopefully in the near future JoAnne and I will go back to our home in Pflugerville, about 10 miles North of Austin Texas."
-Gary Guilbert
Volunteer Spotlight

Brandi Blankenship
"What I love about The Ballard House is the sense of care and dignity it provides for people during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. It isn't just a place to stay, it's a welcoming, supportive environment where families can feel safe, respected and less alone.
The atmosphere of compassion and community really stands out to me, and it's clear that The Ballard House is built on the idea that everyone deserves comfort, stability, and kindness when they need it most. I wanted to volunteer at The Ballard House because I'm inspired by its mission and the direct impact it has on people's lives. Volunteering feels like a meaningful way to give back and support a cause that truly matters. I'm drawn to opportunities where I can be a part of something bigger than myself, and I admire how The Ballard House brings people together to help others through challenging times. Being able to contribute my time and energy to such a compassionate organization is both an honor and a privilege."
-Brandi