“Changing The Way Foster Care Begins” is the maxim of Isaiah House 117, a remarkable organization here in our midst that works in Montgomery and Walker counties to help our most vulnerable children at one of the most traumatic points of their lives — the hours or perhaps days after they are removed from the house of their parents/guardians to be placed in foster care. Last week, the Rotary Club of Conroe had the honor of welcoming Laura Nelson and Krista Patton of Isaiah House 117 as the club’s guest speakers for the first meeting of the new Rotary year.
Ronda Paulson, Founder of Isaiah House 117 is from Tennessee. In 2015 she and her husband became foster parents, and when the call came for their first placement they were directed to pick up the child via the back door of the office of the Department of Child Services. When they arrived, they found the child dirty and in clothes that were too small, and obviously frightened. There must be a better way to make this transition, she thought, and she set out to make that happen. In February of 2017, the first Isaiah House 117 opened its doors. Children are welcomed into comfortable surroundings, clean clothing, toys and most importantly, a caring adult and an open heart. Ronda’s inspiration, her God Wink, came from The Book of Isaiah 1:17 “ defend the cause of the fatherless.” “I believe” Ronda says “these homes have the potential to positively affect the children who are coming into custody in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine, as well as support the caseworkers and future foster families who are a part of their journey. I believe these homes change the way foster care begins.”
RCC was excited to welcome Krista and Laura for this, their second visit to the club, and to hear of the exciting plans for the future. At present, the organization does not have their own location, but works with and through Children’s Protective Services to provide for immediate needs and assist the children’s caseworkers. They have purchased property and are fundraising to build their house. Volunteers are already hard at work clearing the land.
To support these efforts, club members donated gift cards and made cash contributions to help Isaiah House 117 purchase those items the kids need while awaiting their placements. This is such important works; we should all be aware of this wonderful organization and help them if we can. For more information, see the organization’s website at https://isaiah117house.com. For the local organization, see their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/isaiah117housemontgomerywalkertx.
Surely there is a place in heaven reserved for everyone involved here – from these amazing volunteers, to the CPS workers, to the foster families. That would be a most Beautiful Thing.
To learn more about Rotary contact Kris via email at
KrisCommService@aol.com
or text 713 825-0141. Also see the website and facebook pages of any of our local clubs, or the Rotary District 5910 website at
www.rotary5910.org
.
