From Ruth’s House

While domestic violence has experienced a recent boost in awareness due to recent events, women and children in Washington are in need of housing, resource and support programs as they flee abusive situations and work to rebuild their lives.

Ruth’s House in Washington received a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual shelter grant program to maintain critical services and programs. The Mary Kay Foundation awarded a total of $3 million in funding to 150 domestic-violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam in advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

“It’s been a bigger challenge than ever for shelters to keep their doors open and grants from The Mary Kay Foundation are a vital part in helping shelters move forward in their missions,” said Anne Crews, board member for The Mary Kay Foundation and vice president of public affairs for Mary Kay Inc.

“The shelter grants are a signature program of the Foundation and represent just one of the ways Mary Kay is committed to ending domestic violence. We are proud to support local shelters like Ruth’s House that are on the front lines of helping women and children who need shelter and support from abuse.”

Last year, Ruth’s House served over 300 victims of domestic violence offering a full range of services to help them to transform their lives and take their rightful place in society free from the threat of abuse. The Mary Kay Foundation grant will be used to increase the current programs and introduce new ones such as the “Power Up! Life Skills Learning Program.” In addition, it will allow staff and volunteers to expand the community outreach and education program that is a vital part of encouraging social change through education and advocacy to prevent domestic violence.

“Our board, staff, volunteers and clients are so thankful for this grant from The Mary Kay Foundation,” said Kim Etheredge, executive director of Ruth’s House. “It will allow us to progress with many of the projects and programs both within the shelter and in the community. Truly a great blessing.”

For nearly 20 years, The Mary Kay Foundation has supported the prevention and elimination of domestic violence, an epidemic that touches one in every four women in her lifetime. Through the Foundation’s annual shelter grant program, $37 million has been granted to domestic violence organizations since 2000. Nearly 700 shelters requested funding this year.

Ruth’s House is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2011 to meet an overwhelming community need for services for victims of domestic violence. It is governed by a 17-member volunteer board with representatives from the business, education, legal, social services, healthcare and faith based sectors. Ruth’s House offers safe shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. In addition, all victims of domestic violence whether housed at the shelter or not, have access to services such as counseling, court advocacy and support services. The main objective of Ruth’s House is to provide assistance and support to victims of domestic violence enabling them to regain their rightful place in society as productive members of the community free of the fear of abuse.