Isacc spent ages 7-13 in the foster care system after being taken away from his alcoholic mother, jumping between multiple foster homes, group homes and schools with little support before being paired with a loving family who took him in as if he was their own son.
Around age 18, Just in Time was introduced to Isacc by a staff member but he wasn’t sure it was for him. A few years went by, then he was connected with JIT’s College Bound coordinator at a school conference, who got him involved again – as both a participant and an intern.
Soon, Isacc felt it was time to leave his foster home and live independently. He found an agency who offered him an apartment to live in, but learned that any furniture provided would be taken away once he left. After seeking advice from JIT, he took part in My First Home, where volunteer alumni from the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity helped him pick out gently used furniture from the My First Home Distribution Center, then moved him into his first apartment! Knowing how impactful support can be during such a major transition, the Kappas even went a step beyond, taking Isacc to shop for a few brand new items to really make his new apartment his own. Today, he still keeps in contact with the Kappas and they provide him with ongoing guidance. “It was such a big financial help. I don’t think I would be able to get the stuff that I have if it wasn’t for My First Home,” said Isacc. “It took me a couple months to really accept that it was all mine! It made me feel like I had a home – and I had a reason to go home. Prior to that, I didn’t like going home. I had nothing to look forward to; I had an empty space with a bed. Now I’m comfortable at home and I’m very proud of it. This is more than I could ever ask for! I got blessed.”
