First Isaiah 117 House in Kentucky opens in Russellville

RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. – Kentucky’s first Isaiah 117 House officially opened Friday, offering a safe, home-like environment for children entering the foster care system.

A crowd gathered for the ribbon cutting in Russellville, where the new facility will serve children from Logan, Butler and Simpson counties. The nonprofit’s mission is to “change the way foster care begins” by giving children a place to rest, bathe and receive new clothes instead of waiting in an office.

“These kids will be able to be loved on, have a bath, a week’s worth of clothes when they leave with their foster families, and just know that they are not alone on one of the hardest days of their lives,” said Emily Driskill, care coordinator for the Isaiah 117 House.

The house is designed to meet three goals: provide children with comfort and stability, support social workers during the transition process and ease the burden on foster parents receiving a new placement. Volunteers will staff the home, offering food, clothing and emotional support for as long as a child is in their care before moving to a foster home.

As a foster parent herself, Driskill said the project has been years in the making. She recalled being part of early discussions at a coffee shop, envisioning what a local Isaiah 117 House could mean for the community.

“To see our community come together and break ground on the first home in Kentucky is overwhelming, but we are excited to see the change in how foster care begins,” she said.

The project was made possible through donated land, a local general contractor volunteering time and resources, and schools hosting fundraisers to collect supplies.

Organizers say they did not anticipate the large turnout for the ribbon cutting, with cars lining nearby streets and the parking area overflowing. Driskill said the support reflects how deeply the community has embraced the vision of Isaiah 117 House.

While the Russellville location is the first in Kentucky, supporters hope it will not be the last.

“We do hope and pray that we are able to get more in Kentucky so we can partner together to continue to change the way Kentucky does foster care,” Driskill said.