Maria

House of Ruth is more than just a homeless shelter; it's a place of opportunity. The reputation of the program is known, for a lot of women come to House of Ruth seeking more than shelter. They come because they want to be challenge. They want to make a better life for themselves and their children. Some women come with the goal of finally getting their GED, others, learning English. For some women, it's obtaining a full time job, for others it's leaving their abuser for the last time. Whatever their goal is, they feel it's possible to achieve it at House of Ruth. And so they take the giant leap of faith and make the phone call that becomes one of the most important phone calls of their lives.

15 years ago, Maria made the phone call to House of Ruth because her friend had given her the number. Maria was homeless and living with her sister. "I wanted to change my life,” she says.

Looking at the person she is now, I would say that Maria did change her life. Not only did House of Ruth change her employment status, but it changed her character. At House of Ruth she learned about responsibility and how to be a better mother. Instead of putting the parenting on family members, she started to actually communicate with her daughter. Instead of going out with her friends and partying, Maria began to spend her time doing healthy things with her daughter, like going to the park together.

While at House of Ruth, Maria stumbled and broke the rules, but she was given a second chance. From then on, Maria’s goal was to prove herself, and to prove everyone else wrong who didn’t believe in her.

Maria went back to school because she had dropped out in the 9th grade. "Being back in school reminded me of being young... and I felt free." Her case manager, Carmen Rodriguez, was constantly pushing her. She was always checking up with her and the other clients. Carmen would call the school to make sure she was there or even go over and sit in the parking lot outside the building. This accountability is what kept Maria on track and helped her change.

When asked where she would be without House of Ruth, Maria responds, "My kid would have been taken away. I really believe that... and I wouldn’t be the person I am right now.” Maria wanted to change her life, and she did just that. But she hasn't grown complacent; she hasn't stopped dreaming. "I'm still reaching up," she says. Maria’s goal is to buy a house and open her own restaurant.