TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – If you’ve been around youth sports in the Big Bend, you probably know of Ed and Nicole Hill, the founders of GameTime Prep.
The organization is dedicated to empowering student athletes. Their three kids are familiar faces on the football field — playing and helping coach.
In February, the Hills went through the unthinkable — their daughter Alexus passed away. But in the nine months since, they’ve found a new purpose in keeping Alexus’ memory alive.
Alexus made every day mean something to someone, but mostly, her goal was to impact kids.
“She was a true teacher for those kids. She advocated for those kids. I’ve spent many a dollar on blowpops and candy for her classroom because she was always rewarding them for their achievements. She was just an amazing person, very smart. She was my everything.”
Alexus spent two decades managing epilepsy. In February, after suffering a seizure in her sleep, Alexus passed away. She was 28 years old.
“Grief is such a very hard thing to do,” her mother, Nicole Hill, said. “The loss of a child is just… and I can’t even imagine doing it without our family, friends and our community.”
But with great loss comes purpose.
“All of these years, even after teaching, she’s like, I don’t get to help them the way they need to be helped. They need connection, the need one on one sometimes,” Nicole Hill said.
More Tallahassee news:
Within weeks of her passing, the idea for the Alexus House was born — an idea brainstormed on car rides between mother and daughter.
Officially opening in August, it’s a one-stop shop for young people ages 12 to 22, free of charge.
Within weeks of her passing, the idea for the Alexus House was born — an idea brainstormed on car rides between mother and daughter. (Alison Posey/WCTV)
“It’s a place where you can go find yourself,” Ed Hill said. “We have workforce programs. We have social and emotional programs, we have licensed therapy that’s going to be on staff here.”
Joanna Copenhaver, board president of the Alexus House, said she wants to make the space welcoming to all who pass through.
“To know that somebody cares, truly cares about you and wants to listen, and then wants to comfort or see if there’s someway we can help, so whatever you’re going through you don’t feel like you’re going through it alone. The idea behind this is when you walk in, I wanted it to feel like Alexus. That’s what was most important to me. It feels warm, and welcoming and cozy.”
The crown jewel of the house features a library full of books — Alexus was an avid reader — and as the books are checked out, Alexus’ dream of traveling the world will travel with them.
“We just want people to come in and enjoy the love of reading like Alexus did,” Nicole Hill said.
“We’re just taking a leap of faith. We’re just going to go for it and one of the things is I’ve learned recently is there’s not enough time. Don’t wait until tomorrow. If I could have done it again, I would have done it two years ago with her. She would have absolutely loved this.”
Learn more about the Alexus House at thealexushouse.org.
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