Our Story

Nestled in the heart of Kamloops North Shore, sits a home that has represented hope, peace, freedom, and new life to those that have walked through its doors. The battle against drug and alcohol addiction is fought here and leaves its mark on the warriors who dare to fight for their lives. In the heart of such a battle comes the sweet aroma of victory as woman after woman stand to claim their right to a new life of recovery, this is what the House of Ruth is all about.

The House of Ruth is a faith-based women’s residential long term transition house and has been assisting women in addiction for the past 13 years in our community. In total we have a capacity of up to 15 beds available, with each resident having the opportunity to stay up to 2 years. We have been committed to providing our residents with supportive recovery, life skills, Employment Assistance Services (E.A.S) which includes work experience, and one to one counseling. The various components of our program work to provide our residents with the necessary tools to maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol and to live a life of recovery. The national average success rate of drug and alcohol treatment both residential and outpatient is approximately 23% of clients becoming successfully rehabilitated. At the House of Ruth we have surpassed this average and have celebrated a 33% average success rate, maintaining 10% above the national average. This success is due to the number o! f women that have discovered within themselves the strength, courage, hope, and perseverance to fight for their recovery.

The E.A.S program began as a government pilot project at the House of Ruth where we have developed this component to include not only employment counseling but also a work experience aspect that allows each resident the opportunity to gain and apply employment skills within a safe work place environment. This opportunity allows participants in this program to acquire and practice newly developed employment skills which are invaluable to them as they transition into positive, functioning members of their community. The success of this particular component of the House of Ruth is well documented and as of last year we were able to close 30% of long term social assistance files that were funded for our program. With these statistically high success rates, the Ministry of Housing and Social Development has renewed our contract for this development for the next 2 years.

A vital part of any community assistance agency is the ability to recognize the importance of positive, long term relationships with other community resources and the capacity to continually nurture this rapport. We continually strive to have a beneficial and positive relationship with a number of societies, businesses and programs in Kamloops. Thus when the women transition from our program into the community, they are well established for success having built a strong, and diverse support system that can help meet their needs with a variety of expertise. Many of our residents have established and maintained employment, return to school to achieve their educational goals, regain custody of their children, and have obtained a safe and secure residence of they’re own. The House of Ruth remains a solid support for these women and they are welcome to return for a visit, or contact the staff at any time for support, encouragement, a meal or to have a positive environment to ! connect with other women in recovery. We find that if the support is available for them on a continuous basis then they are more apt to encourage and support others in the program.

As a non-profit agency, we have two fundraisers that occur on an annual basis. The first is in the spring called “Ruth’s Night”, where we invite all the women in our community to attend and enjoy an evening of desserts, specialty coffees, door prizes entertainment, and testimonies. On average over the last 3 years we have had up to 200 women attend. In addition, we also host a “Strawberry Tea” on location at the House of Ruth, which is an open invitation for community members, rotaries and businesses in Kamloops To come and participate in a silent auction, live music, desert and tea, as well as an open house where we offer tours and a brief history of the home and the program.

Here are some quotes from testimonies of current and previous residents of the House of Ruth:

“…I didn’t have a proper understanding of what love was… Ended up in hospital and then into House of Ruth. I have been clean and sober for two years and am so proud of myself as I have made my connection with God and the staff. I know that this was the turning point that has saved my life. And has shown me that I have a lot to offer others and am thankful to be able to share my strength.”– J.A.E (22 months clean and sober)

“Came from an atheist, alcoholic, abusive home. At the age of 12 I lived on the streets and became involved with drugs, alcohol and prostitution…This life continued for the next 30 years… When I stepped into the House of Ruth, it was a bit of a rough start with 2 relapses which I feel was because of my anger towards God, guilt and shame over the person I’d become. At the House of Ruth I’ve had the opportunity to heal and found the cure for my pain which is letting go and working through it with God. He’s helped me face my fears, look inside and give me the strength to stop running and face me. In my recovery I’ve discovered routine and structure, new life skills including employment training, confidence through counseling and support from the staff. God’s given me a new family and sense of belonging and most of all…Love. I’m so grateful for the restoration of my family, and a new beginning to a new life.”

- N.T. (1 year clean and sober)

The funds would be used towards the program such as enhanced life skills training, and much needed repairs of the facility. Our facility was built in 1962 and originated as a nunnery that housed the Nuns who taught at the local catholic school. They sold it to us in 1997 when it became the House of Ruth and we have been supporting women in addiction for the past 13 years.