Jamie was cold, alone, and losing hope.
A college student battling anxiety and depression, Jamie relocated to the District of Columbia hoping for a fresh start. But things unraveled quickly. As winter closed in, she found herself without a place to go.
Then Jamie found House of Ruth’s supportive hypothermia program. The District of Columbia asked House of Ruth to operate one of the city’s hypothermia center this season. Each evening, our doors opened to nearly 80 women, where we offered warmth and the basic necessities.
For 27 nights, Jamie had a warm, safe place to sleep through some of the coldest, most dangerous nights of the year. From the beginning, Jamie knew she needed more than a bed. Our supportive staff conversed with Jamie, learning about her journey and her goals. At House of Ruth, we know that dignity and compassion can be life-saving—and when paired with supportive engagement and strong partnerships, they can lead to real change.
Like many of the women we serve, Jamie found the support she needed when our team connected her to one of our community partners. N Street Village secured her a spot at the Pat Handy shelter. Now Jamie has a consistent place to stay and a path forward.
“Thank you [House of Ruth] for your intervention. Thank you for treating me with dignity. I have been made to feel so low on this journey that I was almost a danger to myself. But you and your staff helped me to hold on to my humanity,” she shared.
Her story is just one of many.
Every night, women walk through our doors—cold, exhausted, and carrying more trauma than you can imagine. Your support offers more than a place to sleep—your support preserves life. Your support gives women a chance to begin again.
*Name has been changed to protect privacy. The included photo may not picture the individuals featured in the story. The photo is of actual House of Ruth program participants.
