In Putnam County and across the country, when children are removed from their homes out of concern for their welfare, they are usually brought to the local Department of Children’s Services office to await placement with a foster family. This wait can be several hours to nearly a full day and even longer. These children often have nothing with them and are scared, lonely and hungry, often in dirty clothing and in desperate need of love and emotional support.
What if there was a home instead, where these children can be brought to wait? What if there was a home that is safe, with friendly and loving volunteers who provide clean clothes, smiles, toys and snuggly blankets? What if there was a home that allows children to receive comfort and care they need while DCS staff does the necessary work to identify a good foster placement?
Isaiah 117 House is that home for a child on their day of removal. Isaiah 117 House currently has 26 open homes in 13 states. Putnam County will the the seventh in the state of Indiana.
In addition to reducing trauma for children who are removed, we also strive to make things easier for the DCS caseworkers by providing an office in the house that is fully equipped for them to do their work of filling out state paperwork and finding placement without the added burden of taking care of the children while they work.
And the third part of our mission is to provide the things that foster families may not have at the time they get a call from DCS about removed children. We will have car seats, beds, formula, diapers, etc. that we can gladly offer, so that families can be compliant with regulations for fostering.
We kicked off in Putnam County two years ago and it seemed no one knew about this mission, but in that time people from all backgrounds, economic brackets, and belief systems have stepped up to support this cause by donating time, building materials, and money!
We began actual construction in early August with concrete, framing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, roofing install, drywall install, cabinetry and install all donated by local companies and contractors. Timberland in Brazil gave the bulk of our lumber package, including custom built floor and roof trusses, along with all exterior doors and windows. We are so grateful for the way the community has taken ownership of this project, and we anticipate completion in the next few weeks and open for serving children by springtime.
The home needs to be complete with the first year’s operating budget in the bank before we can open the doors. We ask that you might prayerfully consider donating to help get us to that point. It’s been a huge blessing to see God working out every detail and hope you will contribute to the effort!
Thank you,
Rissa Shepherd, Location Leader rissa.shepherd@isaiah117house.com
Scan the QR Code for options to help and more details.