At any given time, up to 74 families at a time call House of Ruth home. All of the families receive intensive supportive services on a daily basis to help them rebuild their lives. Whatever caused their homelessness – domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse or a combination of forces – the families find the resources they need at House of Ruth. We help each family identify their strengths and needs, then provide counseling to help them cope with the effects of trauma and abuse; training in many daily living skills; education in parenting; social and recreational activities; and case management to coordinate services and help the families achieve their goals.

The names of our residential programs for families convey their purpose and something of the spirit that prevails within: A New Way, Freedom Place, Hope Rising, Herspace, Reunified Families, FamilySpace. Clean, bright and welcoming spaces greet the families. The staff creates a warm and nurturing tone at each program and works closely with each family to help them move from homelessness and domestic violence toward safe and stable lives.

In November, 2009, we opened a new Herspace program, formed by consolidating two small programs at one larger location for 13 families. The new building makes it easier for our staff to interact with the families. In addition, the new Herspace can be staffed more efficiently and reduces our operating costs by roughly $200,000 per year.

The caring, safe and predictable environment at House of Ruth helps the children flourish. They receive many of the same services as their mothers, such as assessments, case management and social activities. One-on-one therapy is also provided to the children who are most severely affected by trauma. Regular supportive groups, with an age-appropriate curriculum, help the children develop in healthy ways. Children are enrolled in after-school enrichment activities and summer camps aligned with their individual talents and goals.

Mondays through Fridays, the women are busy with treatment programs, job training, or employment, while the children attend day care or school. Two or three evenings each week are set aside for structured supportive groups to help the women and children address their challenges and build critical skills. Staff is on-site 24/7 and reaches out to every woman and child every day to provide support and encouragement as they do the hard work of rebuilding lives shattered by homelessness and domestic violence.

The housing, structure, and connections to other programs and services in the community that House of Ruth provides are all valuable. But most important is the relationship that the staff forges with each individual. By building a positive, nurturing relationship with each woman and child, the staff is able to encourage and persuade them to abandon destructive behaviors and learn and adopt safe and healthy behaviors instead.

Your support enables us to immerse 74 families in safe, caring home environments. Even more important, your gifts help us provide a skilled and compassionate staff who works closely with every woman and child, every day, to help them grow and change in positive ways.

Learn more about The Houses of Ruth.

 

House of Ruth is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
Our mailing address is 5 Thomas Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
Telephone: 202-667-7001 FAX: 202-667-7047 Email: houseofruth@houseofruth.org
Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Our Federal Tax ID Number is 52-1054102.