The House of Ruth Maryland was founded in May of 1977 by a coalition of women's organizations, religious groups, service providers, and elected officials to provide a safeohaven for victims of domestic violence and their children. In November of 1977, we opened Baltimore's first crisis shelter for these victims in a row house on North Calvert Street. Today the House of Ruth Maryland is recognized as one of the nation's most comprehensive domestic violence center and has a staff of more than ninety.