We are a nonprofit organization
Working alongside vulnerable communities to expand access to education, care, and opportunity—one family at a time.
Who we are
About & history
Established in 1992, Project Ruth is a long-standing community initiative of Providența Foundation operating in Bucharest, Romania.
We break cycles of poverty and exclusion by supporting children and families with education, care, and long-term opportunities.
We believe in dignity, trust, and partnership. We work closely with families and communities to create lasting, meaningful change.
Project Ruth brings together educators, social workers, volunteers, and partners committed to long-term support for families and communities.
Team members
Meet the people
behind the mission
Meet the dedicated staff and volunteers who work daily to support children, strengthen families, and build lasting change in the communities we serve.
Our Journey So Far
Project Ruth Timeline
From a basement classroom to a multi-program organization, Project Ruth’s journey reflects steady growth, long-term commitment, and deepening impact within vulnerable communities.
A Classroom in Ferentari
Project Ruth began in the Ferentari district of Bucharest, responding to urgent educational needs by offering basic literacy classes alongside meals and hygiene support for children from highly vulnerable families.
Year: 1992
Ferentari District, Bucharest
Formal Organization Established
Fundatia Providenta was officially established, creating the legal and organizational framework needed to support and expand the growing educational and social work of Project Ruth.
Year: 1996
Bucharest, Romania
The Ruth Center Opens
A permanent center was opened in Ferentari to host classrooms, meal programs, and community activities, strengthening long-term presence and stability in the neighborhood.
Year: 1998
Ferentari District, Bucharest
New Programs and Community Support
As needs evolved, Project Ruth expanded beyond schooling to include early childhood support, women’s programs, leadership training, and broader community services.
Years: 2000s
Eastern Europe
Mobile Literacy and Outreach
Innovative outreach initiatives, including the Reading Caravan, were launched to bring literacy and learning to underserved rural communities.
Year: 2021
Rural Romania
Coping for Hoping – Ukraine
In response to the war in Ukraine, Project Ruth extended its work to provide food, shelter, and trauma-informed support to displaced women and children.
Year: 2022
Romania & Ukraine
Serving Communities Today
Today, Project Ruth continues to provide accredited education, daily meals, health and hygiene programs, literacy outreach, and community support to children and families facing vulnerability.
Status: Ongoing
Multiple Communities
Get involved
Partnerships that create lasting change
Whether through giving, volunteering, or collaboration, your involvement strengthens education, dignity, and long-term impact in the communities we serve.