Lydia’s Story
68-year-old Lydia* is a long-term client of House of Ruth’s Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC). Over the course of her life, Lydia has experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, has suffered a gunshot wound, struggled with drug addiction and mental illness, and at several points has been homeless. Lydia came to the DVSC when she […]
Jun 5, 2021
2021 Do More 24 Results
In May, House of Ruth participated in the Do More 24 campaign, the largest 24-hour online fundraiser in the DMV area, powered by United Way of the National Capital Area. Thanks to the incredible efforts of our Board of Directors and the generosity of our community of supporters, House of Ruth successfully raised $12,158.66 from […]
May 29, 2021
Housing: The Foundation
Post by Sandra L. Jackson, President & CEO of House of Ruth This has been a challenging year. As I find myself reflecting on the clients we serve, and their strength in the face of so many challenges they have faced in 2020-21; I find myself so glad and thankful that House of Ruth exists. […]
May 21, 2021
Cara and Heather’s Story
Cara* came to know about House of Ruth through our Kidspace developmental childcare center. She brought her daughter Heather* to Kidspace when she was just six months old. Through Kidspace, Cara attended a group offered to parents on the dynamics of domestic violence. This experience led Cara to recognize the controlling nature of her partner, […]
May 11, 2021
Naomi’s Story
50-year-old Naomi* came to House of Ruth’s Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) for help related to her abusive marriage. Naomi was a mother of three adolescent children, and had been married to a highly verbally abusive and controlling man for her entire adult life. While she had been seen by a number of therapists over […]
May 7, 2021
Shimmy Mob 2021 Virtual Performance
Now in its 8th year, Shimmy Mob – Washington, DC resumed its annual fundraising and awareness campaign for House of Ruth! It’s been a challenging two years for everyone, but even tougher for those who are in lockdown/quarantine with their abusers. Shimmy Mob is a global effort to raise funds and awareness campaigns for domestic […]
May 1, 2021
Focusing On Staff Wellness
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” — Mahatma Gandhi Post by Sandra L. Jackson, President & CEO of House of Ruth We are focused on wellness and healing from trauma at House of Ruth, and during ongoing mass shootings; the recent Chauvin verdict; continued racial unrest and […]
Apr 29, 2021
Kristina’s Story
Before they came to House of Ruth, Kristina* and her two daughters were homeless and living in a shelter in a hotel in D.C. They had a long commute from the shelter to the girls’ school. Kristina’s abuser kept showing up during the commute and threatening them. Kristina would contact the police and let them […]
Apr 19, 2021
Laptops for House of Ruth students from Bridging Tech
In March, House of Ruth partnered with Bridging Tech, a nonprofit that gives free laptops for learning and enriching educational opportunities to children affected by homelessness. During this past year of the pandemic, our staff, along with the women and children we serve, has had to dramatically shift their daily routine to accommodate the stay-at-home […]
Apr 19, 2021
Monica’s Story
28-year-old Monica* was referred to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) by the District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA). When Monica came to the DVSC she was dealing with a lot of difficult feelings around the recent removal of her children from her care. Her two children had been placed in a […]
