News

November 12

Get out and walk a mile for Ruth’s Place

Shelter for women counting on Sunday walk-a-thon to fuel its funding needs.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
Bill O'Boyle on Facebook   |   @TLBillOboyle on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE – Christina, 38, wants a job and her own place so that she can get off of disability.

Victoria, 28, wants to get her life back on track after the recent flooding washed away many of her possessions.

Grace, 53, raised her grandchildren, went on disability and recently was evicted.

Debbie, 21, has found a new place to live; now she needs a job to sustain a life for herself and her daughter.

These four women and many others have found refuge and help at Ruth’s Place – the only area shelter for homeless women.

Since 2003, Ruth’s Place has provided emergency shelter and services for more than 1,200 homeless women. The nonprofit organization needs help to continue assisting women in need.

Bill Bolan, chairman of the board of Ruth’s Place, said the organization’s biggest annual event –the “Mile in Her Shoes” walk-a-thon – will be held Sunday.

“While the shelter has faced cutbacks like any social service agency, the real story is the tremendous strides that the shelter has made in giving on-site services and placing women into permanent housing,” Bolan said. “We do this while giving each woman the full amount of dignity and respect that they deserve; this is the cornerstone of our program.”

Christina, Victoria, Grace and Debbie agree.

“My aunt threw me out of her house because I brought my daughter for a visit,” Debbie said. “Here at Ruth’s Place, nobody judges you; we get to hear each other’s stories and get new perspectives on life.”

Center Director Kristen Topolski said the 24-hour shelter provides beds, showers and counseling for the clients. Appointments are made for health and social services.

“Our clients come to us after having lost their job, or they are victims of domestic abuse, or they just can’t earn enough to pay for an apartment and all expenses,” Topolski said.

There are 16 clients staying at Ruth’s Place. The capacity is 20, but when temperatures drop, Topolski said the facility can take in five more people.

In 2010, 211 women were sheltered at Ruth’s Place and 100 of them were placed in permanent housing, Topolski said. Many others returned to family or friends to live, she said.

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