Isaiah 117 House opens doors to children in need
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Abbey Walsh thanks everyone for help and those that contributed to the success of completing the Butler housing project during a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Several people stood in subzero weather to watch the grand opening during a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ronda Paulson, founder and director of Isaiah 117 House talks to a crowd before the house tours during a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A ribbon cutting was performed at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mackenna Shingleton picks out a book to read in the boys bedroom during a tour after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Anna Benjamin, center, reads a book to sisters Emery, left, and Mackenna Shingleton in the boys bedroom during a tour after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Self-guided tours are done as a large number of people walk through the complete house during a tour after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Cupboards of food are stocked during a tour after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Rachel and Addison Walsh, left, daughters of Abbie Walsh, talk with Colleen and Erica Gianneski in the bottom living room after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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A television and fireplace are some of the amenities provided for children at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Volunteer Ardie Machak goes through clothes in the large basement closet after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mackenna Shingleton plays with Aaron Benjamin during an open house after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Mackenna Shingleton plays with Aaron Benjamin during an open house after a ribbon ceremony at a newly opened Isaiah 117 House in Butler on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Volunteers at the Butler Isaiah 117 House hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 9, declaring the location open for hosting children in need.
Volunteers, friends and community members gathered outside the location, nestled in a neighborhood in Butler County, to watch the ceremony and tour the site.
Isaiah 117 House is an organization dedicated to giving children a place to stay after being removed from their homes while awaiting placement by child welfare services.
Abbey Walsh, who spearheaded the location’s establishment, gave a short speech detailing the long two years it took to get to where the project is today.
The project officially started Feb. 9, 2023, when Walsh and other volunteers traveled to Tennessee to meet with national Isiah 117 House’s leaders. Then, in February 2024, a fundraising event helped raise the money to establish the location.
“You all got behind the mission,” Walsh said. “No longer in Butler, Pennsylvania, will a child have to wait at the county office.”
Walsh said she felt the experience of finally opening was surreal.
“I’ve seen other Isaiah 117 Houses, and I’ve watched this place slowly change into one,” Walsh said. “I can’t believe we brought that here.”
Nathan Teslik, a contractor on the house, also addressed the crowd.
“I have a 30-year career in law enforcement, and I’ve personally seen firsthand these kids that are removed from their current environment and what they go through and the trauma that it causes,” Teslik said. “I was 100% for it from day one.”
In attendance at the ceremony was Ronda Paulson, founder and executive director of Isaiah 117 House. The Butler location is the first in the state, and expands the organization to its 12th state overall.
“When you open one location, we usually see that it’s a cascading effect,” Paulson said. “We hope this is just the start for Pennsylvania.”
Paulson said during the ceremony that despite completion of the location, it was just the start for Isaiah 117 House in Butler.
“I want you to hear me when I say this is not the finish line. This is the starting line,” Paulson said to the crowd. “Starting tomorrow, this house will do what this house was created to do, with your help.”
Walsh said that children will be able to stay at the location starting as soon as the ribboncutting ceremony concluded.
