The Rotary Club of Union County has invested time in working with foster kids through their partnership with Isaiah 117 House. Check out this project.
Isaiah 117 House
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause”.
ISAIAH 1:17
Imagine this and read on…
The police raided that crack house over on Station Street!
The perpetrators are safely behind bars. However, their three children, ages 14, 8 and 2 years, are sitting at a Georgia Division of Family and Children Service (DFCS) center waiting to be assigned to foster homes. They’re scared, they’re dirty, and all they have are the clothes on their backs.
They may be sitting there for some time since identifying a foster home can take a while. DFCS does its best to expedite the process, but some foster homes are full, some don’t have the right facilities and in all probability the kids will be separated. Union County kids sometimes need to be fostered in Atlanta, over 90 miles away. Now, at the most vulnerable time in their young lives they need to know that someone cares.
That’s where Isaiah 117 House comes in. As their motto states, this is “where changing the way foster care begins”. With the help of over 100 trained volunteers, some of whom are Union County Rotarians, Isaiah 117 House provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving environment for children awaiting placement in foster care. There are locations in 12 states and the Union County house is the newest addition to this network of over fifty houses.
Union County Rotary has stepped in to help create a welcoming atmosphere for kids waiting for foster homes. Over the last year the club has tackled projects like creating shelving in the attic and the basement ‘Giving Room’. That’s where kids can pick out new clothing, books and toys and their foster parents can find equipment appropriate for the child’s needs.
The club decked-out the house for Christmas and most recently sodded the backyard play area.
Rotary Union County president, Pat DeLuca, said “Isaiah 117 House provides a safe and fun place for children being removed from their home. The Union County Georgia house is the first in our state and Rotary is excited to have the opportunity to partner with such a cause.
“It seemed fitting to choose Isaiah 117 House as the focus for a District 6910 grant during my presidency. We worked with the location leader to come up with the needs to complete the start-up of the house and came up with four projects where our members could play a role. The district grant seed money helped greatly, and we are thankful for the support. A little Rotarian love will now help a traumatized child smile on what may be the most difficult day of their life.”
Isaiah 117 House’s Location Leader, Audrey Gonet added “Your purchase and installation of shelving has brought much-needed organization and functionality to our space, helping us better serve the needs of the young guests who walk through our doors. The beautiful outdoor Christmas décor added warmth and joy to our home during the holiday season, creating special memories for children during a difficult time. And your help with the landscaping project truly transformed our outdoor space into a welcoming and peaceful environment.
“Thank you for your continued kindness, generosity, and belief in our mission. It is because of
community partners like Rotary that we can continue to provide love, comfort, and
hope to children in their most vulnerable moments.”
The work at Union County’s Isaiah 117 House was completed with the assistance of a grant from District 6910.
