HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – A new nonprofit in Rockingham County is raising awareness about its mission to help reduce trauma for children before they enter the foster care system.

Isaiah 117 House has locations throughout the United States and provides temporary shelter once children are removed from their homes by Social Services and while they await placement.

Jenny Butcher, placement lead for the future Rockingham County location, said the homes provide a clean, safe space for children to stay, but also ease the workload for both caregivers and social workers. She added that the home helps ease the transition for foster families.

”In time we will have a house, a home, where they can go. We have caregivers who come in and love these kids. Then, instead of the social worker having to check for lice in a child’s hair, process paperwork, and make phone calls to see if anyone would accept this child, you can go to your own little space where you still have eye contact and still you can see this kid but make those difficult phone calls,” Butcher said.

Butcher grew up in foster care, both in the Rockingham County area and outside of it. It’s part of what led her to work at the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, where she specifically prosecuted parenting cases.

Now, in her new role at Isaiah 117 House, Butcher said she can’t wait to provide comfort to children dealing with emotions and situations like her.

“I will be able to stand in front of these children who are coming into this system and who are terrified, scared and ashamed of the abuse they suffered,” Butcher said. “I can tell you. ‘I know what you’re feeling. I’ve been there.’ I have not forgotten that day. It was 15 years ago, the day of my expulsion, and I remember it perfectly.”

Right now, Butcher said Isaiah 117 House is in its “raising awareness” phase and is still looking for land to build the house. You can learn more about Isaiah 117 by clicking here.

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