Michelle’s Story
Michelle* and her three children lives in one of House of Ruth’s supportive housing programs for mothers and children who have survived domestic violence. Like more than thirty other House of Ruth residents, Michelle recently lost her job as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michelle is a dedicated, hard worker. She is certified […]
Apr 23, 2020
Dana’s Story
47-year-old Dana* first came to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) for help with depression and anxiety. After struggling with addiction for more than a decade, Dana has acknowledged that her early life trauma was a major factor in her mood management issues, and consequently her struggles with substance use. Dana and her DVSC counselor […]
Apr 23, 2020
Ronni’s Story
We are open for business and serving our hundreds of clients in this time of uncertainty, illness and difficulty. We hope our clients, staff and donors stay safe and healthy. Ronni* and her two daughters came to House of Ruth’s supportive housing seeking safety from an abusive relationship. During her time at House of Ruth, […]
Apr 23, 2020
Katie’s Story
24-year-old Katie* began attending sessions with a counselor at the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) following a recent breakup. After Katie ended her abusive relationship, she still struggled with very low self-esteem and feelings of inferiority as a result of the abuse. Katie was able to work with her counselor to process her negative feelings, […]
Apr 23, 2020
Building D.C.’s Beloved Community
On February 19th, House of Ruth’s Executive Director Sandra Jackson joined Bread for the City’s CEO George Jones and CARECEN’s Executive Director Abel Nunez for a discussion at Georgetown University in honor of Black History Month. The topic was Living the Dream: Advocacy and Building DC’s Beloved Community. Ms. Jackson spoke up as an advocate […]
Apr 23, 2020
Esther’s Story
Esther* and her young daughter Vanessa* have faced tremendous traumas and obstacles to stability, but thanks to their perseverance and the generous support of our community members, they are thriving. Esther is a refugee who moved to the United States with her husband. His abusive behavior led her to flee to House of Ruth with […]
Apr 23, 2020
Willow’s Story
Willow* is a young mother living with her children in House of Ruth’s supportive housing. Her two-year old daughter Aria* and her infant son Lucas* are both enrolled in our Kidspace Child and Family Development Center. When Aria first arrived at Kidspace as a young toddler, she barely spoke. She did a lot of observing […]
Apr 23, 2020
Legacy Of A Dream Award Speech
This is the speech given by Sandra Jackson on January 20, 2020 as she accepted the John Thompson, Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award from Georgetown University and its president, Dr. John J. DeGioia. We hope you are as inspired by the speech, and Ms. Jackson, as we all are. To Dr. DeGioia and the […]
Nov 26, 2019
House of Ruth Leader Named 2020 Legacy of a Dream Awardee
Re-posted from the November 26, 2019 Georgetown University News. Original link here. Sandra Jackson, executive director of House of Ruth, will be honored as Georgetown’s 2020 John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award recipient Jan. 20 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The university presents the award annually to an inspirational emerging […]
Nov 13, 2019
Fiona’s Story
55-year-old Fiona* came to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) after 30 years of an abusive relationship with a man she had known all her life. Fiona initially expressed a great deal of reticence about coming to counseling, both because of cultural taboos around sharing her ‘business’ outside her family, and fear of addressing the […]
