RenoGazette-Journal Feb 29 2008

The plight last year of one woman in Fallon who was down on her luck so touched several Fallon women that they will open the doors to a safe house this spring.

"You wouldn't think there would be such a need here, but it's unbelievable," said Christy Warren.

"Women were falling through the cracks," added Doreen Hill.

As executive director for the newly-formed nonprofit Room for Ruth, Hill got together last April with like-minded partners, Linda Brown, Linda Von Flatern and Warren, who all saw a need in Fallon for the new safe house.

It will be more than just a house, Hill said. "It will instill confidence in women, teach them life skills, and encourage them."

Some of the women may be coming out of a divorce and need a place to stay while they get back on their feet, get a job and, in some cases, strive toward getting their children back although there are no accommodations for children at the safe house at the present. Others might be out of drug or alcohol rehabilitation or prison, some might have been living on the street or a victim of domestic abuse, said Brown.

All of the prospective residents will have to desire a better way of life and Room For Ruth will be more than just a house, according to Hill. It will provide tailor-made programs to fit each resident's needs.

"Some have never cooked or balanced a checkbook or lived within a budget," Brown said. "Others will have skills but need encouragement and support."

Initially, the house will have room for six women at a time. Prospective residents can be referred to the nonprofit organization, but each will need to apply.

"We have our first applicant, but we're not quite ready," Von Flatern said. The women will be expected to pay a fee for the program, but it will be on a sliding scale according to the individual's ability to pay.

"When there's an investment, people get more out of it," Brown said. By the time they leave, they should have a savings account. Room For Ruth's goal is to provide support for a limited period until the women can function successfully without help.

There also will be house rules, which can be summed up by the following, according to Warren: "Everyone (who resides) there should be an example to the other women." Room For Ruth will hire a daytime staff person and a nighttime employee to ensure the well-being of each resident.

"We'll also have a clothes closet -- nice things, clothes the women can wear to a job interview," Hill added.

The house closed escrow Jan. 16 and last week the Fallon City Council approved Room For Ruth as a nonprofit Nevada corporation, Von Flatern said. "It's taken a while, but we wanted to make sure we did everything by the book.

"It has seemed so slow, so long, but everything has come together at once. It's been wonderful," Von Flatern said. The twice-a-week meetings and painstaking research are coming to fruition at last.

Warren said she's excited for the doors to open. "It will help the community as well," she said. Brown agreed: "They will be productive citizens.

Although the house's location will remain undisclosed, the actions of many kind people in Fallon are making it a reality. Staff at the Epworth United Methodist Church helped bring the organization's founders together; anonymous donors provided the funds to purchase the house; Mike Berney helped find the home; Mackedon, McCormick & King helped, as well as Laurel Jackson at Kafouri Armstrong & Co.; Ron Mori inspected the home; Glen the mover assisted; Wynan's Yoder Furniture & Appliance and Bassham Furniture donated furnishings; Eric Grimes at CDTA reviewed the nonprofit's business plan; Sgt. Mike Shelley volunteered his time in making repairs to the home; Digitech printed Room For Ruth brochures; and Louie's Home Center chipped in as well.

Hill said the above have been major donors and there are many others she will thank personally for their donations.

Donations may be mailed to Room For Ruth, P.O. Box 1527, Fallon, NV 89406. For more information, visit room4ruth@yahoo.com; or phone Doreen Hill at (775) 217-2369.