Filling Tables, Filling Hearts: Ron & Ruth Davis’ Passion for Giving Back

For many, homelessness is an unseen or overlooked issue, but when Ruth and Ron Davis heard about Home of Hope, they realized homelessness was rampant in their own community. 

Now, they’re committed to spreading the word about Home of Hope.

“When I first became involved with Home of Hope, I didn’t realize how big the homelessness crisis is, especially for kids in Georgia and Gwinnett County,” Ruth shared. “Now if I’m out or at the store, I’ll look to my right and my left to see if people are sleeping in their cars.”

This passion to look out for people in need is nothing new for Ruth. Since she was young, Ruth’s parents modeled a spirit of giving and instilled in their daughter a heart for helping.

“We didn’t have a whole lot, but we volunteered our time. It wasn’t anything that [my parents] made a big deal about; it’s just what we did,” she explained.

This heart for giving back inspires Ruth to step in and serve mothers and their children who need a hand up, a passion she now shares with her husband.

Almost ten years ago, the Davises’ journey with Home of Hope started with a clothing drive in their neighborhood.

“I had never heard of [Home of Hope] before,” Ruth recalls. “Then three of us in the neighborhood turned 50 in the same month. We had a birthday party, and we asked people to donate to Home of Hope [instead of buying gifts].” 

Soon after, Ruth met Maureen Kornowa, Home of Hope’s executive director, and toured the facility.

“I expected a sterile building like a hospital, but when I drove up to the campus, I saw actual houses, playgrounds and a soccer field. It just blew me away.”

Years later, Ruth now sits on Home of Hope’s executive board of directors, and Ruth and Ron are dedicated donors  and sponsors for Home of Hope’s annual gala, including this year’s Masquerade Ball that Ruth helped to execute.

“We’re very blessed. We both worked hard in our careers and worked hard to be in a position to give back,” Ron added. “It’s easy to say, ‘Somebody else can handle it.’ But we can actually have an impact and help these young ladies.”

Since they began attending the gala, the Davises have filled their own table with friends and encouraged others to make an impact.

“Every year, we bring in new people, and they get more educated on what a great cause this is,” he said.

This year’s gala featured the crowd-pleasing Rupert’s Orchestra, a live auction and a video testimonial from moms whom Home of Hope has helped. One recently graduated mother was also in attendance.

“She had been in our program for a year and a half with her two sons, and she’s just doing phenomenal,” Ruth said. “Those success stories make you understand why you do this.”

In addition to helping fund and plan a beautiful gala, Ruth donates her time to teach life skills classes on topics such as goal setting, interview skills, implementing tools from the self-help book The Four Agreements, conflict resolution, self-love and more.

“One thing I love is hearing the moms open up to each other and share ideas. Between working and raising children, they don’t get a lot of time to just sit and talk. Class is a way to share ideas and experiences,” she said. 

Over the years, as she has met and taught these moms, Ruth has been continually encouraged to see growth in each mother.

“When they first come in, they’re tired,” she said. “Then I slowly see them open up, blossom and start to gain their own confidence. It’s amazing to watch.”

As a new giving season begins, the Davises hope others in the community will learn more about Home of Hope and have the opportunity to witness some of the life-change Ruth regularly experiences.

“I want people to know that Home of Hope has a mission and a heart. For many young ladies and their children, it’s their last hope. Their last chance,” Ruth shared.

“But the ladies who practice what they’re taught, they thrive.”