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 […]
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 […]
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
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 […]
Apr 19, 2021
Ania’s Story
Ania* brought her young son to House of Ruth to flee domestic violence. During their time at House of Ruth, Ania steadily and successfully rebuilt their lives and established her independence. They first lived in our residential housing with staff on-site, and after a year, they transitioned into more independent housing through our Bridges scattered […]
Mar 16, 2021
Anna’s Story
47-year-old Anna* first came to the House of Ruth Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) for help separating from a long-term abusive intimate partner. While she was able to separate from him within a few months, her subsequent work in therapy has focused on building up her sense of self after experiencing years of abuse. Midway […]
Feb 19, 2021
Casey and Sasha’s Story
Casey* and her daughter Sasha* live in House of Ruth’s permanent supportive housing for survivors of domestic violence who are also overcoming mental health challenges. During the two years they have been at House of Ruth, Casey has accessed the resources she needs to maintain her sobriety and her mental health, increased both her work […]
Feb 8, 2021
May’s Story
24-year-old May* was referred to House of Ruth’s Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) by the Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) following a report of child endangerment due to the regular arguments that occurred between her and her children’s father. Although May recognized the court viewed her relationship as abusive and dangerous, May did not […]
Jan 22, 2021
Lena’s Story
In the wake of the holiday season, and in the midst of challenging times, Lena’s story is a real reminder about what a difference it makes to be surrounded by kindness. Lena* and her four-year-old son live in House of Ruth’s supportive housing for mothers and children recovering from domestic violence. She says her first […]
