House Of Ruth Maryland to Fight Domestic Violence With Internet Technologies

Ellicott City, MD, February 25, 2005 — Brook Group, LTD, a leading provider of Web site and Web application development services, announced today that the House Of Ruth Maryland has won the company’s 2005 annual Giving Back program.

“Each year the Giving Back program provides a worthy non-profit with the type of Web site services that normally only a Fortune 500 company could afford,” said Kara Brook, president and CEO of Brook Group. “Brook Group’s success is due in large part to the support of our community; therefore, we feel a deep responsibility to support those organizations that so selflessly serve others.” 

“In the past, we have used public service announcements and brochures to reach battered women and their friends and families.” said Carole Alexander, Executive Director at the House Of Ruth. “Brook Group’s internet solutions will allow victims and service providers to reach us in a crisis so that we can help when it’s most needed.”

“This new Web site will launch this spring and rely on the latest internet technologies as tools to get information to women to help them seek refuge from domestic violence,” said Brook.

The House Of Ruth Maryland will receive Brook Group’s in-depth discovery and analysis programs to clarify the House Of Ruth’s goals, branding and identity. Brook Group will then develop or redesign the organization’s Web Site. This service includes interface design, strategic messaging, information architecture and usability enhancements as well as education and training. Brook Group’s goal is to enable the organization to handle every aspect of their Web site maintenance and growth.

“Many non-profits are unaware of the internet’s power,” said Carole Alexander of the House Of Ruth Maryland. “Domestic violence is a horrific crime and its victims are ignored or blamed; our site will help everyone – from victims, lawmakers, and business leaders to community and religious leaders – to understand the root causes and costs and learn that solutions are at hand. We are thrilled that Brook Group is going to help us build a web site that will inspire passion and move people to action.”

Last year, VisionWorkshops won the Brook Group Giving Back program. This non-profit provides positive learning experiences for low-income and at-risk youth in Anne Arundel County by teaching literacy skills through photography and writing workshops.

Brook Group created branding and identity for VisionWorkshops and then developed a Web site for the organization. “We owe a huge debt to Brook Group. The Web site they developed helped us to find our current sponsors,” said Kirsten Elstner, president of VisionWorkshops.

“The National Geographic Society contacted us initially and said that they had seen our Web site and had noticed we were doing some interesting projects. They are now our major client.  The Web site Brook Group designed is really helping us reach a national audience.”

Brook Group’s previous Giving Back winners include the Reuben Brook Scholarship Foundation and Crisis Link, a non-profit organization that provides support for people facing crisis, trauma, or suicide.

About House Of Ruth

The House Of Ruth is a non-profit organization that operates the nation’s leading domestic violence centers, helping thousands of battered women and their children find the safety and security that so many of us take for granted.

About Brook Group

Brook Group, LTD is a strategic Web design, content management and custom engineering firm with a commitment to user experience development. Brook Group provides information architecture that helps organizations streamline internal efficiencies and increase market share. The firm has earned its impressive reputation through 20 years of innovating customized Web tools that help businesses reduce costs and increase productivity. Brook Group specializes in customization, creative design and branding, content management, Web application development and Internet marketing.

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