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 the late 1970’s, a small group of students from the Claremont Colleges were tasked with an assignment that required them to create a viable solution to a prevalent issue in their community. Claremont, California being one of those places that looks and feels relatively safe, was a challenge to find an any issues. A few ideas got tossed around until finally, the words “domestic violence” came up. It was relevant and important. After all, domestic violence has never made an exception for who it afflicts. It seemed a near impossible topic to tackle, considering the daunting statistics. On average 1 in 3 teens, 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 7 men will be abused by someone they love in their lifetime. How could a small round of 20-year-olds’ ever keep up with something so massive?
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.