Nina’s Story
68-year-old Nina* was referred to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) from a partner agency following several losses in her life. Nina came to therapy seeking support around setting better boundaries, conflict resolution, and achieving balance in her life. Through her work at the DVSC, Nina has been able to gain insight into how previous […]
Oct 12, 2021
Candyce’s Story
34-year-old Candyce* was referred to the Domestic Violence Support Center (DVSC) by one of her friends who was already a DVSC client. Candyce’s friend, Mona,* has struggled with serious mental health issues her whole life, has experienced a wide range of interpersonal traumas, and has met with a variety of therapists over the years. When […]
Aug 20, 2021
Aida’s Story
For two years, Aida* and her daughter have lived in House of Ruth’s permanent supportive housing for mothers and children who have escaped domestic violence and are experiencing mental health challenges. Our staff is so proud of Aida. She is in recovery from substance abuse and has maintained her sobriety for two years. This alone […]
Jul 29, 2021
Rita’s Story
Just six months ago, Rita* was a resident of A New Start, one of House of Ruth’s scattered site programs for women who are survivors of domestic violence. In our scattered site programming, clients receive rental assistance at a level based on their income, as well as case management, group counseling, and life skills support. […]
Jun 18, 2021
Gemma’s Story
Gemma* has had many challenges to overcome — years of homelessness and sleeping on the street, a period of incarceration, a need for substance abuse treatment, living far away from home as an immigrant, and the need for official documentation. Through her own perseverance and the support available to her at House of Ruth, she […]
Jun 5, 2021
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 […]