Meet Ruby

Ruby was in and out of foster care since she was three years old. She never stayed anywhere long enough to make any kind of meaningful connections with the adults around her. She experienced severe physical, mental and sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather and other family members. The abuse left her unable to cope well enough to be considered for a foster home. No one wanted a little girl that couldn't cope and never felt safe enough to connect with those around her.  

​

Group homes became Ruby’s safe place simply because they were the only option left. They were predictable and other girls came and went. She grew comfortable with the constant change and unpredictability that the foster care system brought. Eventually the ebb and flow of the foster care system got old, and Ruby began to realize that I wanted to be better for herself. “I didn't want to let my early childhood experiences own my future. I wanted to be different. I wanted to have a real shot at living a good and successful life.” 

​

Ruby began to focus on her education and set her goals high. She graduated high school and set her eyes on a college degree. The barriers she faced while in college almost caused her to quit. She faced homelessness and could barely afford one meal a day. Nonetheless, she wanted to graduate college.  

​

When Ruby found Casa De Amparo, she knew my life would forever be changed. “From the moment I met my case manager, I knew I was in safe hands. I felt like I found a group of people that genuinely wanted me. I had never felt that way before.”  

​

Casa De Amparo went beyond providing food and housing; the organization provided Ruby with the stability she needed to graduate college and pursue her dreams. “They opened doors that I never knew existed. They opened my eyes to a higher vision for my life. They provided opportunities to grow my workforce skills by exposing me to successful community partners that taught me valuable lessons.”  

​

“When I was a new participant at New Directions, the program quite literally saved my life. The program provided me with stability that I had never experienced in my entire life.”