SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) -- A new and unique foster care facility is coming to Sumner County.

Isaiah 117 House is a nonprofit that provides a temporary safe space for children who have been pulled from their homes and are awaiting placement into foster care. 

“It’s about reclaiming normalcy in the midst of chaos; it’s about wrapping children in love at the very moment the rest of their world is unraveling,” said Michelle Penick with Isaiah House. 

The safe space has been in the works for several years. Currently, Sumner County has 118 children in foster care, according to the Department of Children's Services. 

Across Tennessee, over 8,000 kids are in the foster care system. 

“Every step in this process just adds layers of trauma,” said Penick. “So if we can help by reducing a little bit of that trauma and helping them know that they’re not alone and that people love them and care about them, that’s our goal: just to give them that positive time in their hardest days.” 

Isaiah Houses are built like small homes and serve as a temporary space for kids entering the foster care world.

Currently, there are 57 Isaiah Houses across 13 states. Tennessee had the first, which opened in 2018, and now has more than 20 in total. 

However, this will be the first one built in Sumner County.

“This is a big day for us, and so emotional. We’ve cried all day. I know this is a need and this is going to be very beneficial (for Sumner County),” said Penick. 

The safe haven is expected to open at the start of 2026. 

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/this-is-a-need-sumner-county-breaks-ground-on-new-foster-care-facility/