AS YOU walk the halls of Isaiah 117 House locations all across America, you’ll witness the uniformity in warmth, kindness, and bright smiles. These homes have an aura like a soothing embrace, enveloping all who enter in a blanket of safety. Corey and Ronda Paulson founded these havens to care for children awaiting foster care placement. Their story is a testament to the power of community. Every step forward helps rewrite the narrative of Removal Day.
The organization began when the Paulsons were motivated by the problems people face with the foster care system and embarked on a mission to improve the system. In 2019, they were led to begin a new journey for Coffee, Franklin, and Grundy counties. This expanded their reach to impact children across the state and, eventually, the country.
The Book of Isaiah in the Bible became the guiding light for the founders, leading them to their namesake. Their first foster child, miraculously named Isaiah, gave the founders’ mission an even more personal connection.
According to Susan Johnson, program coordinator for multiple Tennessee counties, the organization initially focused on the immediate transition during removal from an unsafe home, ensuring that children experienced comfort and care in those critical first 24 hours. However, the evolving needs of the children prompted a broader approach to supporting them.
The challenges foster children face are diverse, and Isaiah 117 House adapts its approach to meet these unique needs. The organization strives to step in early, reducing trauma for the children by assuring them that they are loved.
“Simply being there for the kids and just listening and letting them talk — knowing someone cares is worth more than you can put into words,” Johnson shared.
The organization also seeks to ease the transition into the child’s foster home or kinship placement by supplying necessities.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of the children is paramount at Isaiah 117 House. The Department of Children’s Services (DCS) provides supervision for the children, and the organization’s volunteers work alongside the caseworkers.
“Whether the children need a bath, something to eat, clean clothes, or want to go outside and play, we want them to be children on [what is] probably their most adult day.”
The true essence of Isaiah 117 House lies in success stories where children experience a sense of safety, love, and belonging. Johnson shared a touching story of two young siblings who arrived at the house after a traumatic experience. Simply offering them a bubble bath, blankets, and stuffed animals brought comfort and security, showing the effect of small gestures on a child’s well-being.
“They slept for over 11 hours. When they got up, the older child talked about how he couldn’t sleep at night because the rats were as big as squirrels, and they would come out when he went to sleep. That showed me they felt safe and loved.”
As the organization grows, it faces challenges primarily driven by the increasing need for foster care. Balancing the demand for services with the capacity to provide consistent care creates an ongoing challenge. Training and retaining volunteers has become crucial, requiring a concerted effort to engage the community actively. Isaiah 117 House is working on initiatives to involve the community in various capacities.
“The need is so great not only in our area but also in other areas. There are times when people from other regions come to our house because there’s nowhere for these children to go.”
Community involvement is pivotal in Isaiah 117 House’s success. Individuals can contribute by becoming certified caregivers or assisting with cleaning, organizing, and providing meals.
Isaiah 117 House looks toward the future with a commitment to expanding its impact. Annual community fundraisers include a golf tournament in the fall and a yearly lemonade stand challenge in July. A unique program called “Adopt-a-Bin” is in the works, promoting partnerships with the community to stock essential supplies to help the organization meet the needs of the children who enter the red door.
This organization believes that every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves to feel valued and cherished, making their individual journey a unique measure of success.
“You can’t underestimate what a meal does and what a nice bed means to a child. They’re our most important individual guest. We want each guest to be treated like our V.I.I.P. — ‘Very Important Individual Person.’”
Isaiah 117 House emphasizes that no act of kindness is too small and even the simplest gestures can make an impact. GN
