Located in rural, South Georgia, the Tifton Judicial Circuit is comprised of the following counties: Irwin, Tift, Turner, and Worth. Ruth's Cottage serves the Tifton Judicial Circuit as well as Ben-Hill County. The program provides an array of free, confidential services to domestic violence victims and their children which include a 24-hour crisis hotline, safe-shelter, support and education groups, relocation assistance, individual and group support, legal advocacy assisting with temporary protective orders and stalking orders, as well as referrals to other specialized services.

Through the efforts of community volunteers, the District Attorney's office in Tifton, GA and the Victim's Assistance Program, under the direction of Mary Meeler, the community responded to the identified need of domestic violence victims by establishing Ruth's Cottage.

In September 2002, Ruth's Cottage was awarded grant monies for the following positions: Client advocate and two legal advocates from the Department of Human Resources and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which administers both VOCA and VAWA funds. Ruth's Cottage is a collaborative effort of DFCS, prosecution, law enforcement, courts, schools, the faith community, mental health programs, CASA, the business community, and victim advocates. Committed volunteers are at the core of Ruth's Cottage, and we obtain funding from a consortium of state, federal, regional, private, foundation, and corporate sources.

The September 2002 murder of one of our founders, Joy Hill, was a reminder to the board and the community of the terrible stigma that forces victims into silence. Only a coordinated community response will effectively battle the pervasiveness of this problem that affects women and their children.

Primarily we recognize that when we do not hold the batterers accountable, we serve no one. In that respect, the responsibility to educate the entire collaborative, including judges and law enforcement, is paramount. Ruth's Cottage will not discriminate against anyone based on race, gender, disability, religious or cultural affiliation, sexual orientation, or HIV status.