Vision and fortitude go hand in hand at House of Ruth, Inc. The non-profit organization, which has locations in Pomona, Ontario, and Claremont, believes there can be a world free of domestic violence by empowering people to thrive in healthy relationships.
But funding remains a key issue to see results.
Thanks to a recent Women’s Giving Fund grant via Inland Empire Community Foundation, House of Ruth can move forward with several key initiatives, specifically helping the nonprofit continue offering services to the children it serves through its various programs and development.
“House of Ruth provides total family services, so the survivors, primarily adults, will come to us for crisis support, but nine times out of 10, they’ve also got children,” said Pat Bell, Chief Executive Officer of the organization. “The grant will help us have available childcare when an adult survivor needs a crisis counseling appointment or some sort of a one-on-one conversation with somebody, and then they’ve got their children with them. Sometimes, that could be a barrier if we didn’t have available people on hand to provide childcare.”
Bell has been with the organization for 18 years. During that time, she has seen a significant growth in population within the community, which, in turn, equates to more vital services needed, overall. Especially for individuals in transition or crisis.
Collectively, House of Ruth offers services that range from counseling, housing, and legal advocacy to community service programs (domestic violence counseling and education, crisis intervention) and a Prevention Education Program that allows participants to learn and discuss various topics, once every week, for six weeks.
“I love being part of this work,” Bell said. “The heart of its mission is personally important to me. I grew up as a child in a home with domestic violence, and I know firsthand the impact on children. Being able to do this work fulfills me on a great and deep personal level because I know the impact that we make on families over the years.”
Next year marks the organization’s 50th anniversary, but Bell says the nonprofit is already acknowledging and celebrating that milestone and planning ahead—an anniversary gala is tentatively set for March 2027.
“We want to continue making a difference,” Bell added. “And we want to continue serving thousands of people each year.”
When asked what she would say to individuals seeking help but don’t realize what steps to take to actually get it, Bell is candid.
“To all the survivors out there that need help, the first thing I would say is, ‘You’re not alone, so don’t feel as though you’re alone,” she said. “We are here to help you. We have a vast array of supportive services available, and the bravest thing that you can do as a survivor is pick up the phone and call our hotline [877-988-5559]. You’ll be connected right away, and we can refer you to whatever the priority services are that you might need, whether it’s counseling or shelter, or community resources.”
Meanwhile, volunteer opportunities are available and come with a perk: education.
“Because we work with survivors of domestic violence, volunteering at House of Ruth requires a 40-hour training class,” Bell said. “That’s a state-mandated training class. It ensures that you’ll enter your volunteerism well-equipped to be able to work with trauma survivors. So, if people are interested in volunteering for us, we offer training classes twice a year.
Those dates are posted on the organization’s website.
Monetary donations also help, even gift cards. As do item donations. House of Ruth clients range in age from newborn to seniors. To that end, the nonprofit accepts both new and gently used items. The website stressed these items must be non-violent.
A holiday list store link and Thanksgiving food basket list also offer ways to give.
One standout on the website: a link for recognizing domestic violence.
This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, April, 2026.
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