Isaiah 117 House

Isaiah 117 House exists to reduce trauma for children, lighten the load for CPS staff, and ease the transition for future foster placement.

When a child is removed from their home, it is the responsibility of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) to find that child a foster home. What many people don’t know, however, is that there is often a lag time between the child’s removal and the eventual placement into a foster home. This lag time can be a couple of hours or a couple of days, typically spent in the DFPS offices. No bath. No bed. Nothing but a foreign environment with none of the comforts of home.

But, what if there was a home?

Isaiah 117’s mission is to change this process. To give already scared and anxious children a place they can feel safe and loved. Isaiah 117 provides a comforting home - not an office building - where these children can be brought for a bath, some rest, a good meal or anything else they may need while they wait. A place full of friendly and loving volunteers who provide clean clothes, smiles, toys, and snuggly blankets.

While the children receive the comfort and care they need, Isaiah 117 House equips the DFPS agents with the tools they need to complete their responsibilities. Every Isaiah 117 home has a dedicated office space designed to give the DFPS agents an opportunity to work on behalf of the children. It gives them the chance to fill out all the necessary paperwork and work to identify a good foster placement without also having tend to the children at the same time. All DFPS offices within Isaiah 117 Houses include windows into the main living areas so they can always have eyes on the child. We understand the weight and the pressures the employees of the DFPS are under every single day, so we strive to take the time to lavishly love on them as well! We are their ally. We are the children’s ally. Our mission is to be there to assist and love them through an incredibly difficult transition.

Additionally, we are allies with the future foster parents. We want to ease their transition as well. We do that by offering them everything they would need - formula, car seats, school supplies, etc. - so all they have to do is say “Yes!”. Instead of having to frantically run to the store for various supplies, they can spend the first several days bonding with and loving on the child.

All children deserve the love and safety of a home, so what if there was a home?