Stories of Hope

Alma’s Story of Hope

In 2021, Alma* was accepted into House of Ruth’s FamilySpace housing program. FamilySpace serves mothers who have struggled with substance abuse. Alma lives in her own apartment in the community and receives both income-based rental assistance and case management support from House of Ruth. Alma has gone through difficult times, but thanks to your support, […]

Nina’s* Story of Hope

Two years ago, Nina* and her children left a safe house in another state and moved into House of Ruth’s supportive housing for mothers who have survived domestic violence and their children. Nina took a leap of faith in choosing to come to D.C. Thanks to her bravery and your generosity, she found the support […]

Olivia’s* Story

Olivia*, 45, initially came to the DVSC in a personal crisis as she attempted to separate from a highly verbally abusive long-term intimate partner. After discussing issues related to safety, anxiety, and various community resources with her counselor, Lorena was able to safely separate from her partner and enter a new phase of her life […]

Kelly’s Story

Kelly* (45 years old) came to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) after more than two decades of being in an abusive relationship with the father of her children. Initially, Kelly’s goals were to better understand her experience and begin to consider a way forward that would benefit her children. Kelly and her DVSC counselor […]

Betty’s Story

Betty* is a 50-year-old woman who came to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) after being referred by the courts due to the physical abuse she experienced at the hands of an intimate partner. Betty’s DVSC counselor provided emotional support and a non-judgmental space for Betty to begin to explore her experiences of abuse in […]

Lorena’s Story

31-year-old Lorena* initially came to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) to work through a family crisis. After working consistently with her counselor and addressing her initial crisis and related distress, Lorena was able to use her counseling to look at much longer-standing issues that had afflicted her over her life, such as using overeating […]

Wren’s Story

Wren* and her son is a survivor of domestic violence and homelessness. She has found safety and steady support in House of Ruth’s transitional housing. Wren is coping with anxiety and trauma. Her son’s father was recently murdered, and she does not have a lot of support from her family. Thanks to you, she and […]

Simone’s Story

Simone*, 42 years old and a mother of three children, was referred to the DVSC for therapy as required by a judge in her child custody case. A survivor of extreme physical and sexual abuse as a child and young adult, Simone never before in her life had any consistent mental health treatment. During the […]

Jamie’s Story

Jamie* and her young son live in House of Ruth’s supportive housing for survivors of domestic violence. At House of Ruth, Jamie has found both safety and a refuge to rebuild her life. Without having to fear for her safety or the safety of her son, she has found the space to take a breath […]

Meera’s Story

Meera* has journeyed a long road to a healthy, holistic way of life. Meera has suffered through trauma, many years of homelessness, extensive substance abuse that resulted in incarceration, and bouncing around from shelter to shelter. Finding herself tired and ill, Meera eventually decided to pursue substance abuse treatment. When she came to House of […]