November 2025

The Ruth Project

Open House Showcases Finish the Farm

Last month we showcased the fruit of Chapelstreet’s abundant gift to finish The Ruth Project Farm. Rain clouds disappeared moments before our friends began meandering the land! The Hangout Barn, Animal Barn, and perimeter fence were among the highlighted projects. Guests toured The Farm using QR codes to hear incredible stories of the Lord’s faithfulness to The Ruth Project. Lunch and family fun encouraged fellowship and connection. We’re over-the-moon grateful for such abundance and our partnership with Chapelstreet Church!

2025 is quickly coming to a close! Would you consider The Ruth Project for your year-end giving? Our gratitude for the abundant project funding including Finish the Farm never, ever wavers. Yet our Operational costs are in critical need of funding – and are the only way we can continue to run and serve our nearly 300 families and 1000 children. Please give>Support The Ruth Project.

Recently we hosted two school field trips at The Farm of 25 fifth-grade homeschoolers from Oak Meadows Christian Academy and then 40 second-graders from Harvest Christian Academy and Westminster Academy. Both groups completed service projects and toured the Activity Path to learn about their peers whose world has turned upside down by entering foster care. These students can become the next generation to advocate for vulnerable children!

We’re so grateful for each faithful member of our Naomi’s Circle! The Circle’s collective wisdom is a gift – every vote is thoughtful and focuses on supporting practical Ruth Project needs. Our last gathering voted to combine two quarters’ funds to repair our treasured Ruth Project van! Consider joining this sweet, purposeful group of women when we reconvene in 2026.

Thank you to Christ Community Church for sponsoring another Family Fall Fest at The Farm! CCC volunteers connected with our families at all the Barn activities, including crafts, games, and huge inflatables. A big highlight was CCC’s Food Truck that served hot dogs and hamburgers to all the guests. What a treasured partner!

We now have Merch with our name and logo! Our t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, and hats look good and do good by supporting The Ruth Project with every purchase. They make great gifts! Order now in time for pre-Christmas arrival>Ruth Project E-Store.

On Columbus Day, over 80 Ruth Project family members meandered down the Chicago River in boat rides donated by our treasured friends at the Chicago Electric Boat Company. Rain clouds disappeared just in time for kiddos and parents to enjoy time together and with other families for a rare treat in the big city. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Chicago Electric Boats!

Huge thanks to the special crew who came to The Farm to help spiff up the land and prepare for our Fall events! The Greenhouse and Play Barn never looked better, and Grandpa’s Workshop and Animal Barn were deep-cleaned. Blueberry bushes were pruned, fences were painted, and landscaping was freshened. At the same time, 25 Boy Scouts installed 700’ of wood fence for an Eagle Scout project. Wow! We love our volunteers!

Touring The Ruth Project is one of the best ways to get to know us, our mission, and how you can encourage and support foster families and children. Tours are on Tuesdays and start at 10am at our Elgin Boutique and end at 12:30pm at The Farm in Sycamore. Contact us at Info@RuthProject.com to request a Tuesday date that works for you. Who knows? You might be able to frolic with our sweet animals like our dear guests from Westminster Presbyterian did on their recent tour!

We’re so sad to say farewell to our sweet friend Glenn Smith who went home to be with the Lord last month. Glenn was such a dear supporter and volunteer of The Ruth Project, gifting his carpentry skills even at his advanced age. We see his fingerprints on so many construction projects at The Farm! We grieve in our loss yet know we will see him again someday. Lord, thank you for intentionally connecting us with Glenn!