Reporter's Notebook: Hall family's decision changed a life

Steve and Kathy Hall's quick decision in February 2017 forever changed Isiah Hall's life. Isiah won Firelands Positive People's top scholarship award last week, and his adopted parents received the Positive Impact Award during the same program. In March 2017, the Halls adopted Isiah, who persevered through multiple hardships, including homelessness, a fire burning down his residence where he lived with family members and more. His biological mother gave her blessing for the adoption. "I think of this as the ultimate sign of love," Isiah said. "I started to recognize that I was truly loved by two families." Isiah began living with the Halls in February 2017 after Kathy, an administrator at Margaretta Schools, heard about Isiah's situation and decided to help. He thrived while living with the Halls, whose family includes children Grant, 14; Alyssa, 11; Ella, 8; and Lily, 4. After last week's ceremony, Kathy and Steve told me how proud they were of Isiah. "I'm happy that other people see in Isiah what I see in him," Kathy said. "He's a very special young man — we see that everyday at home, but it's cool to see that in your own kid." Kathy shared more about how Isiah was adopted. "Anybody that works in education will say 'man, I would take that one home,'" Kathy said. "I didn't know Isiah at all when I took him home. Over my career, I could point out the kids that I would've taken home and Isiah would've never made that list because I didn't know he existed. "I happened to become aware on the day we had to talk to him about going into the (foster) system and it just bothered me. So we made a decision to take him home, and it's one of the best decisions we've ever made." The Hall family's caseworker, Sarah Clemons, who works for Erie County Job and Family Services, was "very helpful." "People think that children's services are an intimidating force, but they do all kinds of things to help families in any way they can," Kathy said. Clemons, for instance, facilitated visits and guided the Halls through the guardianship/adoption process. She played with the Hall children and hung out with Isiah. "She got to know our family," Kathy said. "Even though it was hard sometimes to coordinate the visits, we've actually missed having her around." Isiah now frequently volunteers in the community, helping out with social programs he was once on the receiving end of. You can find Isiah assisting with OHgo-sponsored food pantries each month at Margaretta Elementary and sorting donations and wrapping gifts for Project Share of Margaretta Township around Christmas. "As long as he doesn't have any athletic events, he's there helping," Kathy said about OHgo's pantry events. "He's all about helping other people that need it." Added Isiah: "I love to help with that." The Hall family wants people to consider fostering and even adopting children. "When people think about foster care, they think about babies and little kids, but we got Isiah shortly after his 14th birthday," Kathy said. "At any point in their lives, you can foster them and make a huge difference. "I encourage people to consider all kids. Isiah is going to be something big in the future." — Caitlin Nearhood