Three years ago, the Isaiah 117 House opened its red door in Knox County. Its mission is to reduce trauma for children awaiting placement in foster homes, lighten the load for child welfare workers, and ease the transition for foster families.
In September, seven WIN Energy REMC employees had the opportunity to help freshen up the backyard playset as part of our new WIN for the Community program. Jacquelyn Cunningham, Isaiah 117 House location leader, applied for the program with the hopes of sanding and staining the playset and now has a playset that is safe and inviting for kids to play.
Since opening the Knox County location in August 2022, over 300 children, newborn babies through 17-year-olds, have been served at the house. This location not only services Knox County but also Daviess and Pike County. While an employee of the Department of Childrens Services (DCS) must be present, volunteers come to the Isaiah 117 House to make the kids feel at home. Whether its a couple of hours or days, kids receive clean clothes, toys, hygiene products, and a blanket to take to their new home.
Cunningham said that the Knox County Isaiah 117 House has approximately 45 volunteers, who rotate on an as-needed basis. She referred to the volunteers as the fun aunt or uncle in the family, as they try to say yes to anything within reason.
From bubble baths to volleyball to freshly baked cookies and fresh sheets, the Isaiah 117 House and volunteers are there to provide a fun, safe environment for kids before they move on to their foster homes.
Not only did the Isaiah 117 House receive a freshly sanded and stained playset, but WIN Energy REMC employees now know the extent of what the Isaiah 117 House does for our community, and it is now a small piece of their story. Its a win-win!
If you or someone you know is interested in helping the Isaiah 117 House, email KnoxIN@isaiah117house.com. If you’re interested in having WIN Energy REMC employees volunteer at your non-profit organization, you can apply for the WIN for the Community program by going to our website, winenergyremc.com/win-for-the-community.
WIN Energy REMC employees and Jacquelyn Cunningham of Isaiah 117 House stand in front of the newly stained playset. Pictured from left: Leslie Beard, Jacquelyn Cunningham, Rebecca West, Caryn McCallister, Brayten Kaiser, Madeline Sievers, Drew Walden, and Colin Mahoney.
