Ruth Ellis Center, Inc

The Ruth Ellis Center, incorporated in 1999, is a youth social services agency that serves the needs of runaway, homeless and at-risk youth. We are one of the nation’s leading experts on vulnerable youth who are experiencing residential instability. The mission of the Center is to “provide short and long-term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender, and questioning youth.” The REC is the only organization in the country that has a Residential program for LGBTQ youth in the foster care and juvenile justice system, and is mission specific to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness. While the Center emphasizes serving LGBTQ youth who are often ostracized, shamed, and denied services by other agencies, no youth, regardless of gender identity and/or sexual orientation is turned away or denied services. Furthermore, all youth who seek our assistance receive the highest level of services based on trauma informed care, late adolescent development theory, and best practices for serving homeless youth.

The Ruth Ellis Center operates four programs:

• Ruth's House - our residential housing program for youth ages 12-17 who are in the foster care or juvenile justice system.
• Second Stories Drop-In Center providing drop-in, venue-based, and social-media outreach services and safe space for youth and young adults ages 14 to 24.
• Second Stories Outpatient Mental Health Services including counseling and case management.
• Family Group Decision Making, a preventative program for youth and families interacting with Child Protective Services.

The Center, is a 501 ( c ) 3 nonprofit organization and receives funding from individuals, foundations, corporations, community groups, faith-based organizations and the government.