Isaiah 117 House
Kate Bushre, Executive Director of Isaiah 117 House
The mission of the Isaiah 117 House is to change the way foster care begins by providing temporary physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home environment for children awaiting placement into foster care. It also aims to lighten the load for the child welfare case workers and ease the transition for foster families by providing necessary resources for children.
The vision for this mission began in Carter County, Tennessee in 2015 when founders Rhonda and Cory Paulson realized children awaiting foster care placement in the county office, were even sleeping there when necessary. The first Isaiah 117 House opened in their community in 2017, and the model quickly expanded.
The process to bring an Isaiah 117 House to Butler County began in February 2022. Through awareness, fundraising, and Butler’s community generosity, the first location in Pennsylvania opened in Butler, Pa in February 2025. Since that time, the location has expanded to serve Lawrence County out of their location in Butler.