Houseline Autumn 2024

FALL 2024

INSIDE: PAGE 2

Letter from the Executive Director Crabaret recap HRM Board of Directors

PAGE 3 Donor Highlight DVAM

Thriving beyond Surviving

A Special Story From a HRM Client

Looking Ahead

PAGE 4 In 2019, Maria (name changed for privacy) arrived at House of Ruth Maryland’s Emergency Shelter with her 4-year-old son, fleeing an abusive relationship. After being referred through our Lethality Assessment Program, she was scared and unsure of what the future held.

With the support of a Service Coordinator, Maria was connected to therapy, mental health services, and our on-site childcare program, giving her the stability and space she needed to heal.

Maria also began working with our Job Navigator, who helped her enroll in a nursing program.

Through hard work and perseverance, she earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) credentials, opening the door to a new career and financial independence.

With newfound confidence, Maria was able to build a better life for herself and her son. She secured stable employment, which gave her the financial means to plan for a brighter future.

Today, Maria and her son have been living in their own home for the past four years, thanks to our Safe Homes rapid-rehousing program.

Reflecting on her journey, Maria shared, "Without House of Ruth Maryland, I am not sure where my son and I would be today. I currently have a home where I feel safe and sound." Her story is a testament to the power of comprehensive support, resilience, and the importance of community in transforming lives.

If you’re interested in helping clients like Maria or know someone in your community experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), please visit our website or reach out to our 24-hour hotline at 410-889-7884. Together, we can continue to provide hope, healing, and safety to those in need.

Advocates Club

Letter from the Executive Director October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time to bring attention to the complexities of domestic violence and the resources available to support victims and their allies.

At House of Ruth Maryland, we believe it’s crucial to understand the different types of violence that can occur in the home. Domestic violence isn’t just limited to intimate partners—it can also happen between siblings, parents and children, or anyone within a household. However, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a specific type of domestic violence that is defined as abuse or aggression within a romantic relationship, and it’s rooted in a disturbing pattern of power and control.

Intimate partner violence manifests in many forms, including: Physical violence Sexual violence/ Sexual Coercion Stalking Psychological aggression Emotional abuse Economic abuse The statistics indicate that all of us, at some point, will know someone who is being abused. You may see it in your personal community, in your family, at work. When you become aware of it, how do you respond? How do you become an ally of the person being victimized? House of Ruth Maryland is a resource for you, as well as the person you’re concerned about. Our staff members are ready to help you create a plan for supporting the individual. If you or someone you know is facing intimate partner violence, please contact our 24/7 hotline or chatline at 410-889-7884. One of our advocates can assist with creating a safety plan, or simply provide a listening ear and resources. We also encourage you to visit our website at hruth.org and explore our DVAM Toolkit, filled with valuable information about how you can make a difference in your community.

For those looking to deepen their understanding, our Salus Community offers free, accessible trainings on intimate partner violence.

You can create an account and get started at saluscommunity.org.

We need your voice and your action to help break the cycle of violence.

Together, we can create safer communities and support those who need it most.

With appreciation,

Sandi Timmins, Executive Director

22nd Annual Crabaret: A Night to Remember

On July 17, 2024, House of Ruth Maryland proudly hosted our 22nd Annual Crabaret at Gertrude’s in the Sculpture Garden of the Baltimore Museum of Art. The evening was truly unforgettable, filled with mouthwatering crab inspired dishes, vibrant music, and an atmosphere of pure joy. Even as the weather tried to dampen our spirits, we prevailed, reaching our fundraising goals to support our mission to end intimate partner violence.

This year’s Crabaret was a remarkable success. Together, we were able to raise more than we did in 2023, and have fun doing it. We owe a special thank you to Chef John Shields, Gertrude’s, and the Baltimore Museum of Art for hosting us once again.

Together, we created another memorable evening, and we are deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support.

Board of Directors PRESIDENT

Kappie Bogart VICE PRESIDENT

Meryl Burgin TREASURER

Steven M. Poynot SECRETARY

Julie Hopkins MEMBERS

Lawrence Baird Clare Berrang Joyce Ann Burman Victoria A. Deyesu David Diaz Holly Griffin Tom Kazmierczak Regina Lindsay Pam Malester Laleh Malek Pam Malester Charvonne Holliday Nworu Anamika Moore Matthew Moore Jeff Musgrove Magnus Rhyu Harry Swayne Scott R. Vogel Pam Colbert EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sandi Timmins

2

Making a Difference

DVAM October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to bring attention to the widespread issue of intimate partner violence. At House of Ruth Maryland, we see firsthand the devastating effects of abuse and provide critical support to help survivors rebuild their lives.

The Reality: Every minute, 20 people in the U.S. experience abuse by an intimate partner. Domestic violence knows no boundaries, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

This June, House of Ruth Maryland was touched by the compassion of a young advocate named Maddie, who visited our administrative building to deliver a donation from a bake sale she organized. Maddie's motivation for the bake sale was deeply personal and heartfelt: "Hi. I am Maddie! This is why I wanted to do a Bake Sale: I wanted people who have gone through hard times to know that I am thinking about them and that I wanted to help! I made $600 by baking 4 different desserts, and my mom helped me make signs explaining why I was doing the Bake Sale. I even made invites for my school friends and my sister's friends. My sister Emily made a song for the Bake Sale, so people would stop by. My family is proud of my hard work, and I know everyone at House of Ruth is happy for the donation to help others! Thank you for listening to my story!"

Maddie’s empathy and determination are powerful reminders of how each of us can contribute to ending intimate partner violence. Her effort has made a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. Every act of kindness, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission to support survivors and build a future free from violence. Maddie's story is an inspiration to us all, showing that when we come together, we can create lasting change.

How You Can Help: Donate: Your support funds emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and more. Visit www.hruth.org/dvam to contribute.

Spread the Word: Use social media to raise awareness. Our toolkit, available at www.hruth.org/dvam, offers resources to help.

Volunteer: Join our efforts by offering your time and skills. Email volunteers@hruthmd.org to get involved.

Educate: Start conversations about domestic violence and share our hotline: 410-889-7884.

Join us this October in standing against intimate partner violence. Together, we can create a safer, more supportive community.

Fill the House

Looking Ahead Adopt a Family As the holiday season approaches, House of Ruth Maryland will host its “Adopt a Family” program, where donors have the opportunity to adopt families in need. This program ensures that families affected by domestic violence receive holiday gifts and essential items, bringing joy and relief during a challenging time. The Development Team is gearing up for this year’s program, so stay tuned for more details or reach out to adopt@hruthmd.org!

Holiday Lights Spectacular Mark your calendars for the Holiday Lights Spectacular at the Maryland Fairgrounds from December 12th–30th, 2024. On opening night, December 12th, all proceeds will benefit House of Ruth Maryland. Join us for an enchanting evening of over a million holiday lights, Santa appearances, and festive fun, including boutiques, food trucks, and the Alpine Avalanche Snow Tube Slide. Be there early to watch us light the first bulb and kick off this magical event!

For more details, visit Holiday Lights Spectacular.

This year’s Fill the House event was a tremendous success, thanks to the incredible support from WMAR, KIMCO, Wies, Von Paris Moving Company, and our generous community. Together, we filled the truck with essential supplies and raised over $10,000 in donations, making a meaningful impact for the families we serve at House of Ruth Maryland. We are so grateful to everyone who came together to support this cause.

3

Executive Director Sandi Timmins

Director of Development Phyliss Mosca

Associate Director of Development Florencia Carrizo Helou

Design and Production Leonitha Francis

Monetary Donations: You can donate online at www.hruth.org/donate or by calling (443) 569-0517.

Please share our Amazon Wish List with your family, friends, religious organizations, schools, and on social media. The more we share the list, the more awareness we bring to the need and the closer we will be to reaching our vision that one day every woman in Maryland will be safe in her own home.