House of Ruth

Provides housing and comprehensive services to 600 women and children daily in the DC area to help them overcome homelessness, domestic violence and extreme poverty.  33 years experience.

Why do we exist?

House of Ruth helps women, children and families in Washington, DC who are homeless and abused to achieve stability, safety and the greatest possible self-sufficiency.   We are working with more than 600 women and children at any given time at our 13 locations in the city.

The women are extremely poor, and most did not graduate from high school and lack job skills.  Many have untreated mental illness and/or addictions.  They are isolated, and have no friends or family who they can to turn to for help.  The women have a lifelong history of abuse, beginning in early childhood and persisting into their adult years in the form of domestic violence.  The children have been raised in chaotic surroundings and have developmental disabilities and emotional and behavioral problems.

Despite their tragic pasts, the women and children at House of Ruth possess resiliency, courage and a commitment to change their lives.

Your financial help enables House of Ruth to provide a uniquely effective combination of nurturing housing and comprehensive services to help these women, children and families achieve safety, stability and greater self-sufficiency.

What have you accomplished?

Women and children get better at House of Ruth.  Many do so well that they leave after two years ready and able to make it on their own.  Those who will always need help to sustain their safety and stability also make great strides.

Seven to 10 outcome goals are set for each program and look at critical indicators of progress such as the percentage of women who sustain psychiatric stability and sobriety; the percentage of women who have healthy, nurturing relationships with their children; and the percentage of children who are emotionally stable and practicing social skills.

At the individual level, assessments of each person’s capacities and strengths, as well as their needs, drive the creation of a plan tailored to that person.  There is no “one size fits all” solution to homelessness and abuse.  The women are involved in creating their own plans, with help from staff to set goals that are realistic, worthwhile and challenging.

We follow-up with departing women and families for at least a year to make sure they are sustaining the gains they made while at House of Ruth.

We measure the progress of each individual toward the goals in his or her recovery plan. In addition, we monitor the results of our efforts with each group of people served at each House of Ruth location. These outcome measurements allow us to continually refine our approach and measure the impact of our work. Approximately 80% of the people served at House of Ruth are able to make significant progress toward achieving safety, stability and avoiding future homelessness.  We know, because we follow up with them for a year after they leave us.

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