Mission
House of Ruth empowers women, children and families to rebuild their lives and heal from trauma, abuse and houselessness.
Our services include enriched housing for families and single women, trauma-informed child development, and free counseling to anyone, regardless of gender, who is a survivor of trauma and abuse.
In response to historical and present systems of oppression, our programs primarily serve women, Black communities and communities of color. We recognize that instances of discrimination and harassment are both specific and representative of systemic issues. Our programs are constantly evolving as we aim to provide the most compassionate, comprehensive, and cutting edge services to support our program participants.
Safe Housing for Single Women and Families
Our Founder
Dr. Veronica Maz was a Georgetown University professor when she founded House of Ruth. She realized that, while there were shelters for men in D.C., there were no shelters for women at the time. She went on to found not only House of Ruth, but Martha’s Table and SOME (So Others Might Eat).
About House of Ruth
House of Ruth offers comprehensive services and housing for women and children. Our services range from supportive housing for families and single women in crisis, to a therapeutic child and family development center, and free counseling services to anyone who has experienced domestic violence.
About Martha’s Table
Martha‘s Table is a local nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities. Martha‘s Table exists because every child, regardless of zip code, should have the opportunity to thrive. For over 40 years, the organization has been working to increase access to quality education, health and wellness resources, and family supports.
About SOME (So Others Might Eat)
Since 1970, SOME has been a care provider and a beacon of hope to DC residents, including individuals, families, senior citizens, veterans and those affected by physical or mental health challenges. We meet their immediate and long-term needs through our comprehensive approach to health and wellness, known as Whole Person Care. By nurturing the complete human experience, we help our clients create happier and healthier futures for themselves and their families.
Kidspace begins offering multi-generational psychotherapy to children and parents.
Sandra Jackson, our President & CEO, is awarded a Washington Women of Excellence award from Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives.
House of Ruth launches a new program, Stepping Forward, which provides scattered-site permanent supportive housing to adult survivors of domestic violence.
Kidspace is featured in the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative’s “Show and Tell on Equity and Justice in Early Childhood Development,” specifically developed for leaders in the child-care field who are working for equity and justice. Link to the Kidspace showcase video:
House of Ruth provides supportive housing services with appropriate adaptations based on guidance from D.C.’s Department of Health and Human Services in response to COVID-19. Kidspace is physically closed while teachers provide online support and activities to parents and re-opens by July 2020. DVSC adapts services to provide telehealth appointments. We deepen our financial and material assistance to program participants, particularly to those who lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
House of Ruth’s President & CEO, Sandra L. Jackson, D. Min., M.S.W., LICSW, LCSW-C, is awarded Georgetown University’s 2020 “John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award” for her outstanding leadership, particularly in regards to her vision for House of Ruth’s new Kidspace child and family development center in Ward 7.
Kidspace is rated a “High Quality” child development center (the highest rating available) by D.C.’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
House of Ruth celebrates 40 years of service to the women, children and families in the D.C. area.
The Bridges Program extends House of Ruth’s supportive services to families exiting our service-enriched housing programs.
The building that housed Three Sisters is re-purposed to provide long-term, supportive housing to single women.
