Ruby’s Story
Ruby Jones: From Warren Village to Community Leader
When Ruby Jones arrived at Warren Village in December with her four children, she had $0 in her bank account and everything she owned packed into storage containers. Fleeing an abusive relationship from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she had scraped together money for a plane ticket just to apply in person, driven through a frigid night sleeping in her car with her children, and crashed in her sister’s one-bedroom apartment—all on faith that Warren Village could offer her family safety and a path forward.
Today, Ruby is an accomplished journalist, author, and founder of the nonprofit Empower Media Exchange. She was just named to the board of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, and serves on several local boards dedicated to supporting women, seniors, and survivors of domestic violence.
Her transformation from a mother in crisis to a community leader exemplifies Warren Village’s ripple effect: residents don’t just graduate into stable housing—they become citizens committed to lifting others.
“Warren Village saved our lives,” Ruby says simply. “But more than that, it taught me how to be resourceful in ways I use every day, not just for myself but to help other people.”
Finding More Than Shelter
Walking through Warren Village’s doors as a single mother of four felt overwhelming. Her Family Navigator gave her a comprehensive self-sufficiency packet. It looked like “a giant mountain to climb,” Ruby said.
But Warren Village staff made that mountain feel like manageable “foothills.” They connected her with resources she’d never needed to know about before: food assistance, health clinics, childcare. They helped her map her future.
Most importantly, they brought her into a community that pulled her out of the isolation abuse had created.
“I’ve always been a very private person,” Ruby explains. “But Warren Village forced me to leave that bubble of fear and loneliness. The family nights, the support circles, hearing other residents’ journeys, it made me realize the beauty in our shared experiences.”
Her children thrived too. They took part in Warren Village’s safe, free programming—skateboarding, art projects, summer camps—surrounded by other kids who understood their experiences. “It was such a good feeling to be able to send them… not across town, but downstairs, next door—where there were people who I knew were safe, who were reliable and who cared about my kids,” Ruby said.
Finding Her Path Forward
Leaving Warren Village wasn’t easy. Ruby was working full-time as a paraprofessional with Denver Public Schools, part-time at Annie’s Cafe, and touring with famed rapper Lupe Fiasco—juggling multiple roles while still unsure of her next steps.
“It was just a very challenging time, because I had had all of these wonderful experiences at Warren Village, and I just didn’t really know how to turn that into something that was sustainable,” she says.
In a stroke of fortunate timing, Denver Housing Authority pulled her name from their public housing waitlist. The transition to public housing meant she didn’t experience the “cliff effect” that many face when supportive services suddenly disappear, she said.
But challenges continued. Ruby was diagnosed with a serious health condition, forcing her to slow down. Then a very close friend passed away suddenly. As she picked up the pieces, Ruby wrote and published a book — “Hot Mama: The Single Mother’s Guide to Finding Love That Lasts,” which focuses on self-love.
The opportunity to slow down gave her a chance to focus on her physical and mental health—and to refocus on what she truly loved: journalism.
Turning Experience Into Service
After moving on from Warren Village, Ruby reconnected with her college journalism roots and began writing for a local news outlet. Eight years later, she became the publication’s chief operating officer and managing editor.
Her colleague Brittany Winkfield, Director of the Colorado Ethnic Media Exchange, first met Ruby through the Colorado Association of Black Journalists. They bonded over their shared passion for delivering culturally relevant information to their community.
“Just the relatability—she gets what I’m saying,” Brittany recalls. “The passion stood out.”
Now they partner professionally, with Brittany calling them a “tag team” to deliver quality content and reporting for clients.
Brittany recognizes Ruby’s journalistic integrity. “She is a true journalist at heart—getting to the facts and making sure that the story is accurate,” she observes.
Equity reporting is “really close to my heart,” Ruby says, which led her to her next passion project: Empower Media Exchange, the nonprofit she founded in January 2024. Earlier this year, the organization earned a grant from LatinasGive in recognition of its mission to equip youth with media literacy and provide a platform for underrepresented voices.
The organization tackles three critical needs: teaching youth media literacy in an age of misinformation, helping college students transition into media careers, and providing media training for nonprofit leaders and executives who need to leverage storytelling for advocacy and growth.
“Everything is transforming so fast digitally,” Ruby says. “We all need to be able to navigate these spaces and communicate with each other.”
A Leader Who Inspires
Vanessa Ortiz, who serves with Ruby on the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Associate Board, has witnessed Ruby’s impact firsthand. “Ruby Jones embodies grit, ambition, and is a true example of what it looks like to follow your dreams,” Vanessa says.
Since joining the board a year ago, Ruby has made such an impression that she was elected Incoming Chair for 2026. “The decision to elect her as our next leader was not only easy but a natural reflection of the trust, admiration, and respect she’s earned through her authentic leadership,” Vanessa explains.
What stands out to Vanessa is how Ruby carries her accomplishments. “You wouldn’t know the depth of her achievements because she carries them with such grounded confidence and sincerity. She is a calm and steady force that leads with heart in everything she does. Her presence brings strength and warmth to every space she enters.”
Coming Full Circle
Ruby returned to her roots by teaching classes at Warren Village itself. Her course “The Power of Your Voice” helps current residents use storytelling to overcome trauma and uncertainty. Another, “Digital Defense,” teaches parents how to keep their children safe online—skills not yet incorporated into public school curriculum.
“It’s a full-circle feeling,” Ruby reflects. “Being able to show people through example that you can come out on the other side of dark times and live a beautiful life.”
Brittany recognizes the courage this requires. “Her resilience—navigating motherhood on top of trauma—is something I can’t even imagine,” she reflects. “Showing up for community where they don’t even know what’s going on, but still putting your heart in it and doing the best possible work that you can do. That’s a shining trait.”
Ruby also serves on the boards of Project Safeguard (supporting domestic violence survivors), Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, and Senior Housing Options. Through her for-profit company PRISM, she provides business support and works on community projects.
The Ripple Effect
Ruby now has eight children—her oldest starting college this year—and a supportive partner. She’s built a career doing work she loves while serving causes close to her heart. But she’s quick to point out that Warren Village’s impact extends far beyond individual success stories.
“It’s that pay-it-forward concept. There’s nothing I love more than to be able to show someone how to be resourceful in the ways that Warren Village showed me how to be resourceful.”
She looks at donations to Warren Village in a similar way. A donation, she says, doesn’t just help “the people who are living at Warren Village, they help society at large.”
As Vanessa reflects: “Our community is brighter and stronger because of Ruby, and I am endlessly grateful to walk alongside her in this work and to be in community with such a passionate and inspiring leader.”
For Ruby, Warren Village didn’t just save her family. It showed her how to save others—creating a ripple effect that strengthens our entire community.
