In a landmark moment for the region, the Isaiah 117 House has officially broke ground on the first of its kind in West Tennessee.
The facility, dedicated to reshaping the foster care experience, holds a vision of reducing trauma for children awaiting placement, lightening the load for child welfare services, and easing the transition for foster families.
The Isaiah 117 House operates with the motto, “Love, You’re Not Alone,” and has a primary goal to lavishly love on children who find themselves in the often overwhelming process of entering foster care. Currently, there are 41 states and 4 countries that have embraced the Isaiah 117 House model.
The house is set to make a significant impact on the local community, offering a haven for children in Dyer County, Crockett County and Gibson County. Out of the 440 West Tennessee children in foster care, over 100 are from those three counties.
“People don’t realize that on removal day, by no fault of the case workers, children can be at the DCS office for hours,” said Jennifer Milam, Program Coordinator for the home. “The Isaiah 117 house will provide a home where they can come with volunteers like me to play with them, let them relax, take a shower or a bath, get a clean outfit, get a meal, sleep in a warm bed and be safe until they go into foster care.”
The unique approach of Isaiah 117 House involves creating a home-like atmosphere, complete with comfortable furnishings and dedicated staff to attend to the immediate needs of the children. This approach aims to soften the often jarring experience of entering foster care, offering a space where children can feel a sense of normalcy and stability.
Local officials and community leaders gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, expressing their support for the initiative.
“I’ve seen a lot of projects over my years in city government that have come up, but I’ve never seen a project so funded and back by the city than the one I am seeing now,” said Tony Burris, Trenton Mayor. “I believe that this was God’s mission and he’s gonna make this thing happen no matter what we do.”
In a world where children in transition often feel alone and uncertain, the Isaiah 117 House stands as a beacon of hope, reminding everyone that, indeed, “Love, You’re Not Alone.”
