Ronda Paulson had a dream of easing the fear and trauma children face when they are removed from their families by DCS.

As a result, Paulson founded Isaiah 117 House and today, Rissa Shepherd keeps that dream alive in Putnam County, serving as expansion coordinator for Isaiah 117 House. 

"Currently, when children are removed by DCS, they are taken to the local DCS office to wait hours, and, sometimes, days for foster or kinship placement. That's another terrible component to the trauma they endure that day. Most children think they have done something wrong to cause this to happen and they feel very alone and afraid. Regardless of how good a job the caseworker does, they are tasked with doing that job while trying to care for children in an office setting that is not created for that purpose. This was the very problem that Ronda Paulson, the founder of Isaiah 117 House, wanted to find a solution for and it has been our motivation ever since," Shepherd told The Putnam County Post. 

Isaiah 117 House is a non-profit organization that provides a home for children on the day they are removed from their biological family by DCS and serves as a temporary safe environment where children are cared for by trained volunteers, fed, dressed in new clothing and comforted on the worst day of their lives, according to Shepherd. 

According to Shepherd, Isaiah 117 House assists DCS in making their job easier by providing an office in the home which has everything necessary to assist in finding appropriate care through foster or family. 

"It is our mission to make the foster family transition easier by standing ready with anything the family might need in order to be compliant with state foster family regulations and to be able to say yes, when called upon. We can offer car seats, formula, diapers, carbon monoxide detectors and much more," Shepherd said.  

After getting its start in Carter County, Tennessee four years ago, there are now about 40 locations in seven states in varying stages of development. 

"The need is great and word is spreading quickly that there can be a truly positive change for children on removal day. We describe our care as "lavishly loving" these children and are anxious to open our doors to serve them," Shepherd said.

And, that includes in Putnam County, as Isaiah 117 House is in the "raising awareness" stage. 

According to Shepherd, the organization is working to get residents to understand who they are and the work the organization does.

"What I have enjoyed most about my job as expansion coordinator is meeting so many amazing people with a heart for the most vulnerable children of our community. I feel completely blessed to get to know more people everyday who live in my area who I would have probably not met otherwise. Watching them all come together to make this home a reality is beyond anything I had imagined it would be," Shepherd said. 

Shepherd said in February the focus will shift from raising awareness to raising funds and will look to host a large event at Three Fat Labs in Greencastle to kick things off. 

"I would encourage anyone interested in learning more about this mission to join us at our monthly Expansion Meetings, which are held in the Emerson Room at the Inn at DePauw, on the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m.," Shepherd said. 

If anyone would like more information on the program, they are asked to contact Shepherd at rissa.shepherd@isaiah117house.com.