1. Volunteer Connection
Volume 6 Issue 4 April 2013
Inside This Issue:
Welcome............................1
One Billion Rising..……….1
35th
Annual Gala……........2
Spring Training…..….......2
New Needs………….…….3
Media Corner…………….3
Staff Connection……..…4
Volunteer News…………..5
Volunteer Spotlight……...6
Vol. Spotlight cont...........7
Birthdays………………8-9
Close……………………...9
Quote of the Month:
“Volunteers do
not necessarily
have the time;
they just have the
heart.”
Hello and Welcome! This has been a very exciting quarter! It began as we held a brand new event in February, One Billion
Rising, for which we collaborated with sister agency Project Sister for the first time. Then in March VAWA passed (yay!) and we
began our Spring volunteer training with an amazing group of new people. Finally in April we held a few very important events.
First, on April 6th
, House of Ruth held our 35th
Anniversary Gala which was a great success due to staff and volunteer help.
Then our Spring training class graduated, and finally, since April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, we held our Volunteer
Appreciation dinner and tea party! We drank iced tea, ate tiny sandwiches, took photos in hats, ties, pearls and scarves, and
mixed and mingled. But the main thing we did was show the volunteers from 2012 that their hard work was appreciated. Summer
is coming up and things are going to settle a little, but I just want to say that I am very excited to integrate the new volunteers
and am so appreciative of the important, diverse, and difficult work that you as volunteers have done thus far. Some volunteers
have helped us get donations, have helped us book presentations, have recruited other volunteers, have referred us clients,
and of course, have provided help when we needed it. Please keep it up! As I always say, If you don’t know how to get started,
just email or call me and I will help; don’t forget that I am here as your supervisor and advocate. To another amazing quarter!
–Marina Wood, Prevention Coordinator
– Marina Wood, Prevention Coordinator
…One Billion Rising …
…Welcome…
What can I say? Amazing event! Alarming statistics!
Amazing speakers! Inspiration in excess! Lots of
smiles! Lots of tears! Tons of DANCING!
This was a very inspiring, motivating, tear jerking
event. The live music was warm and inviting. Poems
read and acted out with so much passion and emotion
you felt it. The sad reality of what happens when men
do nothing was addressed. Testimonies of women
who were once victims of domestic violence and sexual
assault were shared with tears, shock, gasps and
frustration flowing. Liberation and empowerment
taking placeas thestrength and power in the numbers
Ruthie’s and Sisters of House of Ruth and Project Sister
bustin’ a moveat One Billion Rising in Claremont!
present who all shared a common goal of no more
violence towards women. The “one billion starting with
one” phrase that was reiterated prompting everyone to
take a stand because “YOU” matter was very
encouraging. And finally, several women, of all ages
dancing a choreographed dance with words that
empower women, reminding them of their power and
authority over their own bodies. I simply loved this
moment. Thank you, House of Ruth and Project Sister
for organizing such a spectacular event.
–Tracy Evanson, Volunteer
Folks dancing to “Break theChain” of Sexual Violence
in our communities!

2. Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 2
…House of Ruth celebrates its
35th
Annual Gala!…
…Welcome Spring Volunteers!…
When I signed up to become a volunteer at the House of
Ruth, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. On the
first day of orientation, I walked in with an open heart
and an open mind because judging by the size of the
manual, I knew we were going to cover a wide range of
topics. The HOR staff and guest speakers were very
educational and spoke with so much passion in their
voices. I could tell that they love what they do and I
really appreciated that. I also enjoyed the activities we
participated in. Some brought us out of our comfort
zone and some bonded us as a group. The speakers
made me feel really welcomed there and Marina did an
outstanding job at facilitating and engaging the group in
discussion. I feel really fortunate to have been a part of
the HOR training program and being able to listen to
and meet some very inspirational people. I truly look
forward to volunteering here!
– Vivian Voong, Volunteer
~Here is a reflection from a new volunteer about the
Spring 40 Hr. Domestic Violence Training!~
Staff and volunteers pose in their fancy attire at House of Ruth’s gala at the beautiful
Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona.

3. …New Needs…
There is always a way to lend a hand here at House of Ruth, so in this section you will find
any new, updated, or upcoming needs that the different departments of HoR would like
volunteer help with.
Prevention Department:
 Interested in tabling at a resource fair or presenting
to the community on topics such as Teen Dating
Violence or Bullying? Then we have a spot here for
you!
Contact: Marina Wood mwood@houseofruthinc.org
Ontario Office:
 Ontario needs volunteer assistance with filing &
organizing client case portfolios. This will give you
a glimpse into what services our clients utilize the
most and how case managers work to provide these
resources.
Contact: Maricela Peña mpeña@houseofruthinc.org
Counseling Department:
 Counseling needs a volunteer to help file and
organize client case notes at the office in Ontario.
Contact: Vibi Salcedo vsalcedo@houseofruthinc.org
Community Services Department:
 We need volunteers to help put together information
packets and hotline cards for officers and medical
professionals.
Contact: Marina Wood mwood@houseofruthinc.org
 Donation closet is in need of some organization!
Contact: Susie Salcedo ssalcedo@houseofruthinc.org
Development Department:
 Data Entry-We are in great need for several volunteers
to help input some data into our computer system.
 Research- We would like someone to help do some
research in three areas: grant research/foundation
research, fundraiser database research, and grant
resources. This can be done from home after meeting
with the Director of Development.
Contact: Pat Bell pbell@houseofruthinc.org
Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 3
Media Corner:
President Obama signing the reauthorization of VAWA into
law on March 7, 2013. This strengthens the response and
action taken by the criminal justice system to crimes like
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as well as helps to
remove barriers for LGBT, Native American, and
undocumented victims accessing services.
For more information visit:
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/vawa_factsheet.pdf
Domestic Violence Counts!
“In just one 24-hour period, local domestic violence
programs across the country provided help and safety to
64,324 adults and children who were victims of domestic
violence. Sadly, 10,471 times on that same day, a hotline rang
or a victim showed up at the door to request a shelter bed, an
attorney, counseling, or another critical service and the local
program was forced to say “I am so terribly sorry that we
don’t have the resources or funds- can I work with you on a
safety plan or try to find you some help in a neighboring
town?”
For the seventh consecutive year, the National
Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) conducted its
annual National Census of Domestic Violence Services
on September 12, 2012 and today released their analysis of
that data in the report: Domestic Violence Counts: A 24-hour
Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services. The
report revealed that reduced funding for domestic violence
services means that programs are unable to help survivors
with shelter, attain legal help, or leave abusive partners.
On September 12, 2012, 1,646 out of 1,924, or 86%,
of identified local domestic violence programs in the United
States and territories participated in the 2012 National
Census of Domestic Violence Services. The figures represent
the information reported by the 1,646 participating programs
about services provided during the 24-hour survey period. In
addition to the number of victims served, more than 20,000
hotline calls were answered and more than 25,000
individuals were educated on domestic violence across the
country on the survey day.”

4. Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 4
…Staff Connection…
~To make sure that volunteers continue to feel connected to House of Ruth we’ve added a
new section to our volunteer newsletter called “Staff Connection” that will help us get to
know a little bit more about the wonderful staff we have here at our agency.~
Tools for Self Care:
1. Take a nice warm and relaxing bath!
2. Write it out! Getting things down on paper can
help you release pent up feeling and help organize
your thoughts.
3. Ashley does a 5 minute mediation every morning to
help clear her mind and prepare herself for the
day!
4. Let it go! After a challenging day sometimes
allowing yourself to let go of the day can really
make a difference and is the best way to self care!
To contact use the following information:
Email: asolis@houseofruthinc.org
Phone: 909-623-4364
Five Fun Facts About :
 Ashley alsointerns for an awesome Feminist organization that
“strives to end the everyday violence, dominance,and
silencing used againstpeople due to theirgender, sexual
orientation, race, and class and make self-determination and
loving communities a new norm.” Check them out at
EverydayFeminism.com or
www.facebook.com/everydayfeminism
 She also loves to travel and just came back from visiting Zion
National Park in Utah!
 She also loves different types of art including writing,
photography and painting.
 One of Ashley favorite ways to unwind andget a good
workout is by doing some calmingand calorie burning Yoga!
This months Staff Connection is about one of our hard
working and amazing residential case managers, Ashley Solis.
Ashley has been with the agency for a couple years now, first
as volunteer when she went through the 40 hr Domestic
Violence training in the Summer of 2011 and then as a House of
Ruth staff member in March 2012. Ashley’s role as a case
manager is to help clients set goals, provide advocacy, help
educate client’s about domestic violence, help find and provide
referrals, as well as provide crisis intervention both with clients
and on our 24 HR Hotline. Recently, Ashley has also begun
teaching the DV 101 class in shelter. She does it all! 
In my conversation with Ashley, she describes her favorite part about being with House of Ruth as the
feeling of making a difference through seeing the changes within her clients and being a part of their
process of coming into empowerment. Thank you Ashley for your wonderful personality, hard work at
House of Ruth and your dedication to your clients!–Alyssa Raquel Avila, Youth Advocate

5. Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 5
~Every yearHouse of Ruth hosts aVolunteerAppreciation dinner to remind volunteers that they are imperative to the organization
and thatthey are cherished. This yearwe held aTeaParty and had awonderful timegetting to know each other, eating, playing
games, taking photos, and hearing aboutthe diverse types of work each volunteer did over the previous year. We also invite staff so
thatvolunteers and staff can form relationships, which will ultimately helpthem work together to better service our clients. There was
alotof laughing, alittle crying, and most importantly, respectand admiration given to the hard working volunteers.~
…Volunteer News…

6. …Volunteer Spotlight…
Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 6
~Volunteer Appreciation Tea Party~
There’s asaying that goes,“Thosewho
can,do. Thosewhocando more, volunteer.”
That’s the waywe feelaboutour volunteers. Our
volunteers do so muchfor our agency,so muchin
factthatseveralof themwere honored by President
Obama for their exceptionalservice.On the left we have
ourPresident Volunteer Awardees:(Top Row)
Katie Miller,Ursula Flanagan,Kim Heideman, Alex
Torres, and Taylor Marvulli. (BottomRow) Evelyn Perez,
VanessaFlores,Venice Torres, Sister Joan Rybiki, and
Leonavon Kalb.(NotPictured)AlyssaAvila,CeciliaMc
Coy,Luis Cruz,Denice Martinez,Jessing Singer, Jessie
Fuentes,VeronicaMacina, Shannon Sateri,and Shubha
Gadgil.
This yearwe also wanted to recognize several volunteers
who have provided an importantservice to the agency
throughout this year. Marina Wood the Prevention
Coordinator awarded theEssential Piece certificate
to (From Left to Right)Taryn Cronkite, Alyssa
McPherson, Brenda Davila, DianaCampbell,
andTracy Zhao. (NotPictured) Annemarie
Delgado, Kimberly Ignacio, and Tracy Evanson.
Thank you again to all our volunteers for
theirdedication and commitment to
House of Ruth and ending Domestic
Violence in our communities!

7. Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 7
…Volunteer Spotlight…
Each year the City of Montclair asks organizations that serve their city to
nominate one volunteer for Volunteer of the Year. Each nominee is then
presented with a plaque and recognition from the Montclair City Council,
Mayor, and local representatives. For the year 2012, House of Ruth
nominated Kim Heideman, a volunteer who served in Shelter Children’s
Program, Ontario Outreach, Prevention, and Case Management.
Pictured here are Community Services Coordinator Maricela Pena,
Prevention Coordinator Marina Wood, and
Volunteer of the Year Nominee Kimberly Heideman.
Congratulations Kim!

8. Happy Birthday to You!
Last but not least…
`
Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 8
We wish you the
happiest day ever.
Make the most of
your birthday
celebration!
Love-
House of Ruth
A birthday is the first
day of another 365-day
journey around the sun.
Enjoy the trip.
~Author Unknown

9. P.O. Box 459 Claremont, CA 91711
Hotline: 1-877-988-5559
Pomona Outreach: 909-623-4364
Fax: 909-629-9581
www.houseofruthinc.org
Alyssa Avila, Youth Advocate
Email: aavila@houseofruthinc.org
Phone: 909-623-4364 ext. 6108
March Birthdays:
Brenda Davila: Mar. 1
Claudia Morales: Mar. 3
Tanya King: Mar. 5
Geri Zuniga: Mar. 17
Shannon Sateri: Mar. 18
Alisa Lawler: Mar. 20
Desiree Garcia: Mar. 24
Martha Barrales: Mar. 25
Aleida Bogdanski: Mar. 26
Vanessa Sapien: Mar. 29
April Birthdays:
Lissette Perez: Apr. 6
Michelle Horngren: Apr. 14
Estefan Encarnacion: Apr. 17
Penni Nagel: Apr. 20
Kayla Shively: Apr. 20
Donna Bales: Apr. 23
May Birthdays:
Machara Clayton: May 1
Tracy Zhao: May 5
Catherine Conrado: May 19
Jade Jackson: May 23
Jacqueline Fryre: May 23
Maggie Grosjean: May 26
Thank you for tuning into this quarter’s
House of Ruth Volunteer Connection!
We appreciate all that you do! 
Volume 6 Issue 4 Page 9