In a massive mobilization of corporate volunteerism, New Jersey-based employees from global real estate firm JLL joined hundreds of colleagues nationwide on April 16 to launch the “Wave Across America” initiative.
The campaign, a partnership with the nonprofit Once Upon a Room, saw volunteers transform more than 200 pediatric hospital rooms across 17 U.S. cities—including key medical centers serving the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area—into personalized, home-like sanctuaries for children battling serious illnesses.
For JLL, a firm with a significant footprint in New Jersey’s commercial and industrial real estate sectors, the initiative represents a commitment to community impact that goes beyond property management. Teams participated in coordinated two-hour “room makeovers,” replacing sterile clinical environments with custom decor tailored to each child’s unique interests, hobbies, and favorite colors.
The name “Wave Across America” symbolizes a ripple effect of kindness starting in major hubs like New York and Jersey City and spreading to Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles.
“A personalized space is essential for a child’s emotional well-being and healing process, replacing fear with comfort,” Jenny Hull, co-founder of Once Upon a Room said. “JLL is doing more than just decorating rooms; they are deploying volunteers to deliver hope on a national scale.”
The mission of Once Upon a Room is rooted in a story of extraordinary resilience. The nonprofit was co-founded in 2014 by Hull and her daughter, Josie, who—along with her twin sister Teresa—recently celebrated their 25th birthday.
The twins made international headlines as infants when they were successfully separated after being born conjoined at the head. Having spent a significant portion of her childhood in hospitals, Josie was inspired at age 12 to start the nonprofit, knowing firsthand how a sense of “home” can aid the recovery of a young patient.
The national expansion of this program was sparked by a grassroots suggestion within JLL. Associate Ally Doherty proposed scaling the initiative beyond Los Angeles, a vision that was quickly embraced by JLL leadership.
“At JLL, we believe in the power of our people to shape a better world, and that starts in the communities where we live and work,” Charlie Smith, executive managing director at JLL said. “I am immensely proud that our people are leading this effort with both their time and fundraising.”
