House of Ruth

For the second year in a row, Hope Rising is proud to announce Washington D.C.'s House of Ruth as the beneficiary of our fundraising efforts. We could not be more excited to support an organization that does such incredibly important work for this community. Once you read just a little about them, we're sure you will understand why.

Serving Our Community's Most Vulnerable

Founded in 1976, House of Ruth is the most experienced provider of housing and services to women and children who are homeless and abused in Washington, D.C. The organization provides a comprehensive array of housing, services and support in nurturing environments at nine residential sites throughout the city. At House of Ruth women, children and families find the refuge and resources they need to heal from lifetimes of abuse.

Eighty-Nine percent of House of Ruth's revenues are used for direct services. Only 11% is used for management, public education, fundraising, and administrative costs.

House of Ruth takes in women who are literally homeless and seeking a safe place to begin rebuilding their lives. Many are in recovery from substance abuse. Few have the job skills to earn a living wage. All have been hurt by domestic violence, beginning in childhood. Their children have been in raised in chaotic, dangerous surroundings. Many have been separated from their mothers for months or years at a time.

Despite all these strikes against them, the women, children and families that come to House of Ruth have great courage, resiliency and the determination to learn and adopt a new way of life. House of Ruth helps women work hard to learn the skills to live independently so they can eliminate homelessness and abuse from their lives. The organization also offers vital community-based services, such as developmental day care, extensive outreach and counseling to fight domestic violence. On a typical day over 500 people are served, approximately half of whom are children.

House of Ruth relies upon the generosity of supporters' commitment to the women and children they serve to maintain the vital services provided - which have helped to improve so many lives. With federal funding for people who are homeless stuck at 1999 levels, and city officials failing to offer new initiatives or resources to combat homelessness and domestic violence, it has never been more critical for members of the community to demonstrate commitment to help these families stay healthy, safe, and able to thrive on their own.

Please take a moment to read about the fantastic success stories featured here. We are confident that, like us, you will feel confident that in helping House of Ruth, you are helping an organization on the front lines of service in this community.

We thank you in advance for joining us in supporting House of Ruth, and encourage you to learn more about the organization and their activities at www.houseofruth.org.