Ruth

At just 13-years-old, Ruth felt safer living on the streets than at home. When Ruth told her family that she was abused, they did not believe her. Instead of supporting her, they punished her. So, at just 13-years-old, Ruth left home. She met a community of people that made her feel safer living on the streets than at home.

Ruth and her friends would spend time and sleep safely in the tunnels inside Penn Station and in Central Park. They shared everything they had and built a sense of community that made survival possible. Because of the safety and support of this group, Ruth was able to go to school each day and get her GED.

Ruth remembers how Streetwork Project was conducting outreach out of the Traveler’s Aid office in midtown. At Streetwork, Ruth and her crew were able to take showers, get food, and enjoy a safe space to hang out.

The Streetwork staff helped her find and furnish her own apartment and covered the bills for the first few months. Ruth had become part of the first group of young people who “graduated” or aged out of Streetwork.

Since then, Ruth worked at Streetwork, providing young mothers with hot meals, childcare, and community. In 1997 she even spoke on the issue of homelessness at the United Nations.

For Ruth, home isn’t just a place—it’s the people who care for you and offer a sense of safety and belonging. Streetwork gave her that, and she will always be grateful.