House of Ruth seeks to:

• end violence against women in the context of intimate relationships
• end acceptance of that violence
• promote social accountability to women’s needs and experience; and
• create solutions that respect and empower women through intervention, prevention, education, and activism

House of Ruth seeks to achieve these goals while supporting and acting upon the following values:

1. Client-centeredness
   At House of Ruth, clients come first and are the primary focus of our work.  Women and children victimized by domestic violence have always been at the heart of the Battered Women’s Movement and we rely heavily on their experience to guide our efforts.  Within a context of clear roles and boundaries, and within the limits of legal obligations, we respect and promote the right of each client to self-determination by assisting them to identify, clarify and set their own goals.  Furthermore, we respect and support the right of our clients to make decisions about their own lives.  We recognize that this is especially important when we are not in agreement with those decisions.
2. Dignity and Worth of the Person
   House of Ruth respects the inherent dignity and worth of each person.  We treat each person in a caring and respectful manner, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity.  We promote each client’s self-determination, and seek to enhance each clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs.
3. Social Justice/Social Change
   House of Ruth pursues social change, and will work to create change in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, which will end violence against women.  House of Ruth pursues social justice, and will hold the institutions of our society accountable to victims of domestic violence.  House of Ruth’s social justice/social change efforts will be focused on issues of domestic violence and the impact of public policy on this population.  We strive to ensure access to needed information, service, resources and equality of opportunity.
4. Integrity
   House of Ruth is continually aware of the organization’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards.  The agency conducts itself in a manner consistent with these ideals.  House of Ruth acts honestly, responsibly and promotes ethical practices in interactions with the organizations with which we are affiliated.  House of Ruth promotes the personal responsibility and accountability of staff/board/volunteers within the context of the work environment.
5. Competence
   The agency staff, board members and volunteers, work within their areas of competence and strive to develop, enhance and apply their professional knowledge.  House of Ruth staff/board/volunteers vow to show respect for and to value the roles of coworkers in the agency.  We vow to make appropriate referrals within or outside of the agency, in situations that go beyond our scope of abilities or service.  Those who work at and for the House of Ruth will aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of their professions. More specifically, House of Ruth staff/board/volunteers will work within their scope of expertise, and will respect and protect appropriate boundaries with clients.