Our Story
Pictured: The grand opening of our Pomona outreach office and expanded 55-bed undisclosed shelter location in 2000.
Pictured: Volunteers in 1987, working on the backyard of the new 20-bed undisclosed shelter location.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
— Margaret Mead
In 1977, a graduate student from the Claremont Colleges, did her research study on the societal need for a crisis hotline to support battered women. Along with a few fellow students, the 24-hotline was created, and the calls came flooding in. The Battered Women’s Movement was gaining momentum during this time, and the need for domestic violence services was becoming more prevalent. The small group of graduate students worked to quickly form a non-profit to address the needs of the community and House of Ruth was established!
Pictured: In 2002, House of Ruth, Inc. was successfully able to finish payment installments on their primary outreach office and shelter location. To celebrate, executive management held a mortgage burning for both buildings.
Pictured left: The Harlem Ambassadors play the House of Ruth Hoopsters for a fundraising event held in 2009.